Encoding apparatus of audio signal, audio disc and disc reproducing apparatus

ABSTRACT

DVD-video data and DVD-audio data are recorded in a DVD-Avd disc. The DVD-audio data is composed of an audio manager having an audio manager information, an audio manager menu, a first audio title set including first audio data and a second audio title set including second audio data. The first audio data of the first audio title set is connected with audio contents included in the DVD-video data, and a real time information (RTI) pack or a still picture (SPCT) pack is included in the second audio title set. Therefore, the audio contents of the DVD-video data and the audio data of the DVD-audio data are managed by the audio manager information, and text information indicated by real time information or a still picture is displayed while reproducing the audio data. Also, DVD-video data recorded in a DVD-video disc, which is normally reproduced by using a reproducing apparatus dedicated to the DVD-video disc, can be reproduced by using a reproducing apparatus for the DVD-Avd disc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an audio disc in which an audio signalof text information indicating a music name or the like is recorded, anencoding apparatus in which the audio signal of the text information isrecorded in the audio disc, and a disc reproducing apparatus in whichthe audio signal recorded in the audio disc is reproduced to display thetext information indicated by the audio signal.

2. Description of the Related Art

2.1. Previously Proposed Art

A conventional compact disc (CD) has been known as a conventional audiosignal reproducing optical disc. Also, a digital video disc (DVD) hasbeen recently known as an optical disc having a packing density higherthan the CD.

Also, another conventional compact disc (CD) has been known as a storagemedium in which text information (or character information) indicating amusic name of each music source is recorded as an audio signal withcontrol information. In this conventional CD, sub-codes of 8 bits suchas P, Q, R, S, T, U, V and W are prepared. When text information isrecorded in the conventional CD, channels of 6 bits composed of R, S, T,U, V and W are used.

2.2. First Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, in cases where both a video signal and an audio signal arerecorded in the DVD, the video signal is primarily recorded in the DVD(hereinafter, this type of DVD is called DVD-video disc), and therecording of the audio signal is subordinated to the recording of thevideo signal. Therefore, there are following problems.

First, the audio signal is integrally formed with the video signal, andthe audio signal and the video signal are recorded as a set. Therefore,a memory capacity for the audio signal is considerably lower than thatfor the video signal.

Secondly, a time management for the audio signal cannot be performedindependent of the video signal.

Thirdly, simple text information such as a music name cannot be read outfrom the DVD-video disc.

Also, because users for the audio signal require a broaden usage fromthe DVD-video disc as compared with users for the video signal, a simplereproducing method is required of the DVD-video disc. For example, theusers for the audio signal desires to arrange an area oftable-of-contents (TOC) in the DVD-video disc in the same manner as inthe CD. However, in the DVD-video disc, a video contents block unit iscomposed of a navigation control pack (CONT pack), a plurality of videopacks and a plurality of audio packs, and the reproduction of the videoand audio packs is controlled by using the CONT pack. Therefore, eventhough the audio signal is primarily recorded in the DVD-video discindependence of the video signal, a user cannot easily reproduce theaudio signal, so that there is a problem that the DVD-video disc is notvery useful for the user.

Also, the time management in the DVD-video disc is performed for eachvideo frame. Therefore, even though the audio signal is primarilyrecorded in the DVD-video disc independence of the video signal, becauseit is important to continuously reproduce the audio signal as comparedwith the video signal, there is a problem that it is difficult toperform a time management for the audio signal in real time.

Also, the DVD-video disc and a DVD-video disc reproducing apparatusdedicated to the DVD-video disc are put on the market. In this DVD-videodisc reproducing apparatus, a signal recorded in a music CD or a videoCD can be reproduced as well as a signal recorded in the DVD-video disc.However, users desire a disc reproducing apparatus in which an audiosignal recorded in any type DVD can be reproduced as well as thereproduction of an audio signal primarily recorded in a DVD(hereinafter, this type of DVD is called DVD-audio disc)

2.3. Second Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Also, text information indicating contents of a music source and otherinformation are recorded in the conventional CD by scatteringlyarranging the text information and the other information in a storageregion of the conventional CD. In this case, it is difficult, forexample, to display the text information and the other information whilethe text information and the other information follow the music sourcereproduced and while promptly changing the text information and theother information. Therefore, there is a problem that a text indicatedby a video signal cannot be effectively displayed in connection with themusic source indicated by an audio signal.

In general, in cases where a dialogue (or a caption) superimposed on amoving picture such as a movie is recorded in a digital versatile disc(DVD)-video disc, text information represented by the dialogue isrecorded by successively arranging the text information in a storageregion of the DVD-video disc. However, because audio data such as amusic source is primarily recorded in the DVD-audio disc as comparedwith the DVD, there is a problem that a specific storage regionallocated to the audio data is considerably reduced in the DVD-audiodisc in cases where text information is successively arranged in astorage region of the DVD-audio disc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present invention is to provide, with dueconsideration to the drawbacks of such a conventional audio disc and aconventional disc reproducing apparatus, an audio disc in which an audiosignal primarily recorded is easily read out without anytroublesomeness, a real time management is easily performed and theaudio signal is producible by using a DVD video player, and a discreproducing apparatus in which the audio signal recorded in the audiodisc is reproduced.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an audio disc inwhich audio data of a music source or the like is primarily recordedwhile effectively recording text information indicating contents of themusic source or the like, an encoding apparatus in which the textinformation is encoded so as to effectively record the text informationin the audio disc with the audio data primarily recorded, and a discreproducing apparatus in which the text information recorded in theaudio disc is effectively reproduced and displayed.

The first object is achieved by the provision of an audio disc having adata structure comprising:

-   -   a video title set;    -   a first managing area (VMG) including information (VMGI) for        managing the video title set;    -   an audio title set not including a pack for reproduction control        but including audio data; and    -   a second managing area (AMG) including information (AMGI) for        managing the audio title set and managing audio contents of the        video title set.

In the above configuration, because the audio title set is not managedby the information (VMGI) of the first managing area (VMG) but ismanaged by the information (AMGI) of the second managing area (AMG), theaudio data can be recorded independent of video data of the video titleset. Therefore, time of an audio signal reproduced from the audio datacan be easily managed. Also, in cases where text information or stillpicture data is recorded in the disc, the text information or the stillpicture data can be easily reproduced at a predetermined time whilereproducing the audio data.

Also, the first object is achieved by the provision of an audio discreproducing apparatus for reproducing data recorded in an audio disc, ofwhich a data structure comprises:

-   -   a video title set;    -   a first managing area (VMG) including information (VMGI) for        managing the video title set;    -   an audio title set not including a pack for reproduction control        but including audio data; and    -   a second managing area (AMG) including information (AMGI) for        managing the audio title set and managing audio contents of the        video title set,        the audio disc reproducing apparatus comprising:    -   reproducing means for reproducing the audio contents of the        video title set and the audio data of the audio title set by        using the information of the second managing area.

In the above configuration, because the audio title set and managingaudio contents of the video title set are managed by the information(AMGI) of the second managing area (AMG), the audio contents of thevideo title set and the audio data of the audio title set can bereproduced by using the information of the second managing area. Also,because the audio title set is not managed by the information (VMGI) ofthe first managing area (VMG) but is managed by the information (AMGI)of the second managing area (AMG), the audio data can be recordedindependent of video data of the video title set. Therefore, time of anaudio signal reproduced from the audio data can be easily managed. Also,in cases where text information or still picture data is recorded in thedisc, the text information or the still picture data can be easilyreproduced at a predetermined time while reproducing the audio data.

Also, the first object is achieved by the provision of an audio discreproducing apparatus for reproducing data recorded in an audio disc, ofwhich a data structure comprises:

-   -   a video title set;    -   a first managing area (VMG) including information (VMGI) for        managing the video title set;    -   an audio title set not including a pack for reproduction control        but including either first audio data obtained by performing an        analog-digital conversion for an analog audio signal at a first        sampling frequency or second audio data obtained by performing        an analog-digital conversion for an analog audio signal at a        second sampling frequency; and    -   a second managing area (AMG) including information (AMGI) for        managing the audio title set and managing audio contents of the        video title set,        the audio disc reproducing apparatus comprising:    -   first reproducing means for reproducing a first analog audio        signal by performing a digital-analog conversion for the first        audio data; and    -   second reproducing means for reproducing a second analog audio        signal by performing a digital-analog conversion for the second        audio data.

In the above configuration, regardless of whether audio data of theaudio title set is converted at a first sampling frequency or at asecond sampling frequency, the audio data can be reproduced.

Also, the first object is achieved by the provision of an audio dischaving a data structure comprising:

-   -   an audio title set having audio data and still picture data;    -   a video title set;    -   a first managing area (VMG) including information for managing        the video title set;    -   a second managing area (AMG) including information for managing        the audio title set and the video title set; and    -   TOC information.

In the above configuration, because TOC information is recorded in theaudio disc, audio data of the audio title set can be easily reproduced.Also, because still picture data is arranged in the audio title set, arecording capacity of video data can be reduced, and an audio signal canbe mainly recorded independent of the video data. Also, because stillpicture data is arranged in the audio title set, a still pictureindicated by the still picture data can be easily displayed whilereproducing the audio data.

The second object is achieved by the provision of an audio signalencoding apparatus, comprising:

-   -   formatting means for formatting an audio dedicated title having        audio data to a data structure in which the audio data of the        title is arranged in a first pack, text information relating to        the audio data of the first pack and display time control data        for controlling a display time of the text information are        arranged in a second pack, and information for managing the        reproduction of the first pack is arranged in a managing area of        audio manager information (AMGI).

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of a disc having adata structure in which a first pack including audio data, a second packincluding both text information relating to the audio data of the firstpack and display time control data for controlling a display time of thetext information and an audio manager information (AMGI) managing areaincluding information for managing the reproduction of the first packare arranged as an audio dedicated title.

In the above configuration, because a disc has a data structure composedof audio data of a first pack and text information and display timecontrol data of a second pack, audio data can be primarily recordedwhile effectively recording text information, and the text informationcan be encoded so as to effectively record the text information in theaudio disc with the audio data primarily recorded. Also, the textinformation can be reproduced at a predetermined time according to thedisplay time control data while reproducing the audio data.

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of an audio signalencoding apparatus of a disc, in which a title having first audio dataand video data and an audio dedicated title having second audio data arerecorded, comprising:

-   -   formatting means for formatting the audio dedicated title to a        data structure, in which the second audio data of the audio        dedicated title is arranged in a first pack, text information        relating to the second audio data of the first pack and display        time control data for controlling a display time of the text        information are arranged in a second pack and information for        managing the reproduction of the first pack is arranged in a        managing area of audio manager information (AMGI), and        formatting the title having first audio data and video data to a        data structure in which the first audio data of the title is        arranged in a first pack, the video data is arranged in a third        pack, information for controlling the reproduction of the first        and third packs is arranged in a navigation pack of a prescribed        standard, and information for managing the reproduction of the        first and third packs is arranged in a managing area of video        manager information (VMGI).

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of a disc having adata structure in which a first pack including audio data, a second packincluding both text information relating to the audio data of the firstpack and display time control data for controlling a display time of thetext information and an audio manager information (AMGI) managing areaincluding information for managing the reproduction of the first packare arranged as an audio dedicated title having the audio data and inwhich a first pack including audio data, a third pack including videodata, a navigation pack of a prescribed standard including informationfor controlling the reproduction of the first and third packs and avideo manager information (VMGI) managing area including information formanaging the reproduction of the first and third packs are arranged as atitle having the audio data and the video data.

In the above configuration, in case of the audio dedicated title, audiodata is arranged in a first pack such as an audio pack, text informationand display time control data are arranged in a second pack such as a Dpack, and audio manager information is arranged in a managing area. Incase of the title having first audio data and video data, audio data isarranged in a first pack such as an audio pack, video data is arrangedin a third pack such as a video pack, control information is arranged ina navigation pack (or a CONT pack), and video manager information isarranged in a managing area.

Therefore, regardless of the audio dedicated title or the title havingfirst audio data and video data, the title can be reliably encoded.Also, in case of the audio dedicated title, audio data can be primarilyrecorded while effectively recording text information, and the textinformation can be encoded so as to effectively record the textinformation in the audio disc with the audio data primarily recorded.

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of a discreproducing apparatus for reproducing data recorded in a disc having adata structure in which a first pack including audio data, a second packincluding both text information relating to the audio data of the firstpack and display time control data for controlling a display time of thetext information and an audio manager information (AMGI) managing areaincluding information for managing the reproduction of the first packare arranged as an audio dedicated title, comprising:

-   -   reproducing means for reproducing the audio data of the first        pack and the text information and the display time control data        of the second pack;    -   first decoding means for decoding the text information        reproduced by the reproducing means;    -   second decoding means for decoding the display time control data        reproduced by the reproducing means; and    -   text information displaying means for displaying the text        information decoded by the first decoding means according to the        display time control data decoded by the second decoding means.

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of a discreproducing apparatus for reproducing data recorded in a disc having adata structure, in which a first pack including audio data, a secondpack including both text information relating to the audio data of thefirst pack and display time control data for controlling a display timeof the text information and an audio manager information (AMGI) managingarea including information for managing the reproduction of the firstpack are arranged as an audio dedicated title and in which a first packincluding audio data, a third pack including video data, a navigationpack of a prescribed standard including information for controlling thereproduction of the first and third packs and a video managerinformation (VMGI) managing area including information for managing thereproduction of the first and third packs are arranged as a title havingthe audio data and the video data, comprising:

-   -   reproducing means for reproducing the audio data of the first        pack and the text information and the display time control data        of the second pack;    -   first decoding means for decoding the text information        reproduced by the reproducing means;    -   second decoding means for decoding the display time control data        reproduced by the reproducing means; and    -   text information displaying means for displaying the text        information decoded by the first decoding means according to the        display time control data decoded by the second decoding means.

In the above configuration, audio data arranged in a first pack and textinformation and display time control data arranged in a second pack arereproduced by the reproducing means, the text information is decoded bythe first decoding means, the display time control data is decoded bythe second decoding means, and the text information is displayed whilecontrolling a display time according to the display time control data.Accordingly, the text information recorded in the audio disc iseffectively reproduced and displayed.

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of an audio signalencoding apparatus, comprising:

-   -   formatting means for formatting to a data structure in which        audio data is arranged in a first pack, video data is arranged        in a second pack, text information relating to the audio data of        the first pack is arranged in a third pack, and both information        for controlling the reproduction of the first and second packs        and display time control data for controlling a display time of        the text information arranged in the third pack are arranged in        a navigation pack of a prescribed standard.

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of a disc having adata structure in which a first pack including audio data, a second packincluding video data, a third pack including text information relatingto the audio data of the first pack and a navigation pack of aprescribed standard including both information for controlling thereproduction of the first and second packs and display time control datafor controlling a display time of the text information arranged in thethird pack are arranged.

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of a discreproducing apparatus for reproducing data recorded in a disc having adata structure, in which a first pack including audio data, a secondpack including video data, a third pack including text informationrelating to the audio data of the first pack and a navigation pack of aprescribed standard including both information for controlling thereproduction of the first and second packs and display time control datafor controlling a display time of the text information arranged in thethird pack are arranged, comprising:

-   -   reproducing means for reproducing the audio data of the first        pack and the text information of the third pack and the display        time control data of the navigation pack;    -   first decoding means for decoding the text information        reproduced by the reproducing means;    -   second decoding means for decoding the display time control data        reproduced by the reproducing means; and    -   text information displaying means for displaying the text        information decoded by the first decoding means according to the        display time control data decoded by the second decoding means.

In the above configuration, audio data is arranged in a first pack,video data is arranged in a second pack, text information is arranged ina third pack, control information and display time control data arearranged in a navigation pack, and the data and information areformatted. Therefore, audio data is primarily recorded while effectivelyrecording text information, the text information is encoded so as toeffectively record the text information in the audio disc with the audiodata primarily recorded, and the text information recorded in the audiodisc is effectively reproduced and displayed.

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of an audio signalencoding apparatus, comprising:

-   -   formatting means for formatting an audio dedicated title to a        data structure in which audio data of the title is arranged in a        first pack, both sound control information relating to the audio        data of the first pack and application time control data for        controlling an application time of the sound control information        is arranged in a second pack and information for managing the        reproduction of the first pack is arranged in an audio manager        information (AMGI) managing area.

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of a disc having adata structure in which a first pack including audio data, a second packincluding both sound control information relating to the audio data ofthe first pack and application time control data for controlling anapplication time of the sound control information and an audio managerinformation (AMGI) managing area including information for managing thereproduction of the first pack are arranged as an audio dedicated titlehaving the audio data.

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of a discreproducing apparatus for reproducing data recorded in a disc having adata structure, in which a first pack including audio data, a secondpack including both sound control information relating to the audio dataof the first pack and application time control data for controlling anapplication time of the sound control information and an audio managerinformation (AMGI) managing area including information for managing thereproduction of the first pack are arranged as an audio dedicated titlehaving the audio data, comprising:

-   -   reproducing means for reproducing the audio data of the first        pack and both the sound control information and the application        time control data of the second pack;    -   first decoding means for decoding the sound control information        reproduced by the reproducing means;    -   second decoding means for decoding the application time control        data reproduced by the reproducing means; and    -   text information displaying means for displaying the sound        control information decoded by the first decoding means        according to the application time control data decoded by the        second decoding means.

In the above configuration, audio data is arranged in a first pack,sound control information and application time control data are arrangedin a second pack, and audio manager information (AMGI) is arranged in amanaging area. Therefore, audio data is primarily recorded whileeffectively recording text information, the sound control information isencoded so as to effectively record the sound control information in theaudio disc with the audio data primarily recorded, and the sound controlinformation recorded in the audio disc is effectively used to adjust asound quality of the audio signal.

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of an audio signalencoding apparatus of a disc, in which a title having first audio dataand video data and an audio dedicated title having second audio data arerecorded, comprising: formatting means for formatting the audiodedicated title to a data structure, in which the second audio data ofthe audio dedicated title is arranged in a first pack, sound controlinformation relating to the second audio data of the first pack andapplication time control data for controlling an application time of thesound control information is arranged in a second pack and informationfor managing the reproduction of the first pack is arranged in an audiomanager information (AMGI) managing area, and formatting the titlehaving first audio data and video data to a data structure in which thefirst audio data of the title is arranged in a first pack, the videodata is arranged in a third pack, information for controlling thereproduction of the first and third packs is arranged in a navigationpack of a prescribed standard and information for managing thereproduction of the first and third packs is arranged in a video managerinformation (VMGI) managing area.

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of a disc having adata structure in which a first pack including audio data, a second packincluding both sound control information relating to the audio data ofthe first pack and application time control data for controlling anapplication time of the sound control information and an audio managerinformation (AMGI) managing area including information for managing thereproduction of the first pack are arranged as an audio dedicated titlehaving the audio data and in which a first pack including audio data, athird pack including video data, a navigation pack of a prescribedstandard including information for controlling the reproduction of thefirst and third packs and a video manager information (VMGI) managingarea including information for managing the reproduction of the firstand third packs are arranged as a title having the audio data and thevideo data.

Also, the second object is achieved by the provision of a discreproducing apparatus for reproducing data recorded in a disc having adata structure, in which a first pack including audio data, a secondpack including both sound control information relating to the audio dataof the first pack and application time control data for controlling anapplication time of the sound control information and an audio managerinformation (AMGI) managing area including information for managing thereproduction of the first pack are arranged as an audio dedicated titlehaving the audio data and in which a first pack including audio data, athird pack including video data, a navigation pack of a prescribedstandard including information for controlling the reproduction of thefirst and third packs and a video manager information (VMGI) managingarea including information for managing the reproduction of the firstand third packs are arranged as a title having the audio data and thevideo data, comprising:

-   -   reproducing means for reproducing the audio data of the first        pack and both the sound control information and the application        time control data of the second pack;    -   first decoding means for decoding the sound control information        reproduced by the reproducing means;    -   second decoding means for decoding the application time control        data reproduced by the reproducing means; and    -   text information displaying means for displaying the sound        control information decoded by the first decoding means        according to the application time control data decoded by the        second decoding means.

In the above configuration, in case of an audio dedicated title, audiodata is arranged in a first pack, sound control information andapplication time control data are arranged in a second pack, and audiomanager information (AMGI) is arranged in a managing area. In case of atitle having the audio data and the video data, audio data is arrangedin a first pack, video data is arranged in a third pack, video datareproduction control information is arranged in a navigation pack, andvideo manager information (VMGI) is arranged in a managing area.

Therefore, in case of the audio dedicated title, audio data is primarilyrecorded while effectively recording text information, the sound controlinformation is encoded so as to effectively record the sound controlinformation in the audio disc with the audio data primarily recorded,and the sound control information recorded in the audio disc iseffectively used to adjust a sound quality of the audio signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is an explanatory view showing a data format in a DVD-video diskaccording to first to sixth embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is an explanatory view showing a data format based on initialstandards in a DVD-audio disk (and a DVD-Avd disk) according to first,second, sixth embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is an explanatory view showing a format of a DVD-audio accordingto third to fifth embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiomanager (AMG) shown in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiotitle set (ATS) shown in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiomanager information (AMGI) shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiotitle set-attribute table (ATS-ATRT) shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiotitle set-attribute data (ATS-ATR) shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiotitle set information (ATSI) shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of audio titleset information-management table (ATSI-MAT) shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiotitle set menu-audio stream-attribute data (ATSM-AST-ATR) shown in FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiotitle set-audio stream-attribute table (ATS-AST-ATRT) shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of attributedata (ATS-AST-ATR) of each audio stream shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an audio contents block unit(ACBU) shown in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiopack (and a video pack);

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiocontrol (A-CONT) pack shown in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiocharacter display (ACD) area shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an example displayed according toinformation arranged in a name space area shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiosearch data (ASD) area shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing a modified example of an audiocontents block unit (ACBU) shown in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a reproducing apparatus for aDVD-audio disc and its peripheral devices according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram functionally showing the disc reproducingapparatus and its peripheral devices shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiomanager information (AMGI), in which TOC information is additionallyarranged, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing in detail the TOC informationshown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of an audiotitle set information (ATSI), in which TOC information shown in FIG. 22is additionally arranged, according to a modification of the secondembodiment;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an audio signal encoding apparatusaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a signal processing circuit shown in FIG.24;

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of a CONT packshown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 27 is an explanatory view showing in detail presentation controlinformation (PCI) data shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view showing in detail data search information(DSI) data shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 29A is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of a realtime information data (D) pack shown in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 29B is an explanatory view showing a first example of a format ofan audio character display (ACD) area shown in FIG. 29A according to thethird embodiment;

FIG. 29C is an explanatory view showing a second example of a format ofan audio character display (ACD) area shown in FIG. 29A according tofourth and fifth embodiments;

FIG. 30A is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of a realtime information data (D) pack, in which audio character real timeinformation data (ACD) is included, arranged in an audio contents blockunit (ACBU) shown in FIG. 1B according to a modification of the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 30B is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of anotherreal time information data (D) pack including sound effect control data(SEC) according to the modification of the third embodiment;

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing a data structure of a DVDaudio-AV data (DVD-avd) disc according to the present invention;

FIG. 32 is an explanatory view showing a data structure of a DVD-audiodisc according to the present invention;

FIG. 33 is an explanatory view showing a data structure of aconventional DVD-video disc;

FIG. 34 is an explanatory view showing a disc reproducing method;

FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing a reproducing apparatus for aDVD-audio disc (or a DVD-avd disc) and its peripheral devices accordingto the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a block diagram functionally showing the reproducingapparatus and its peripheral devices shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a flow chart of an A-V-D synchronization reproductionprocessing for reproducing control information;

FIG. 38 is a flow chart of a synchronization reproduction of A packs, Vpacks and D packs performed in the A-V-D synchronization reproductionprocessing;

FIG. 39 is a block diagram of a display signal producing unit and acharacter displaying unit shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 40 is a block diagram functionally showing a reproducing apparatusand its peripheral devices according to a modification of the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 41 is a block diagram functionally showing a reproducing apparatusand its peripheral devices according to another modification of thethird embodiment;

FIG. 42 is a flow chart showing a processing for distinguishing betweena D pack including audio character display information and a D packincluding sound effect control information;

FIG. 43 is a block diagram of a sound quality and level controlinformation outputting means shown in FIG. 41;

FIG. 44 is a block diagram of a character displaying circuit accordingto a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 45 shows a recording area of a V-RAM shown in FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 shows a data structure of data recorded in a DVD-avd discaccording to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 47 shows a series of A packs and a D pack included in a secondgroup of audio title set (ATS <2>) of the DVD-avd disc shown in FIG. 46;

FIG. 48 shows a data structure of data recorded in a DVD-Van disc asanother type of disc;

FIG. 49 shows a data structure of data recorded in a DVD-video disc asanother type of disc;

FIG. 50 shows a data structure of data recorded in a DVD-audio disc asanother type of disc;

FIG. 51A shows a data structure of DVD-audio data in the DVD-Avd discshown in FIG. 46;

FIG. 51B shows a configuration of an AOTT-AOBS shown in FIG. 51A;

FIG. 51C shows a configuration of an AOTT-AOB of the AOTT-AOBS shown inFIG. 51A, the configuration of the AOTT-AOB corresponding to FIG. 47;

FIG. 51D shows a configuration of ATSI-MAT data shown in FIG. 51A;

FIG. 51E shows a configuration of the still picture set (SPS) shown inFIG. 51A;

FIG. 51F shows a still picture (SPCT) pack of each SP shown in FIG. 51E;

FIG. 51G shows a format of audio only title audio object attribute(AOTT-AOB-ATR) data shown in FIG. 51D;

FIG. 52 is an explanatory view showing a private header of a linear PCMin the DVD-avd disc shown in FIG. 46;

FIG. 53A is a block diagram showing a reproducing apparatus for theDVD-Avd disc shown in FIG. 46 and its peripheral devices according tothe sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 53B is a block diagram functionally showing the reproducingapparatus shown in FIG. 53A and its peripheral devices according to thesixth embodiment;

FIG. 54 is a flow chart showing a reproducing processing of an ATS and aVTS performed in a reproducing apparatus according to the sixthembodiment;

FIG. 55 is a flow chart showing a frame reproducing processing performedin correspondence to a sampling frequency of audio data in thereproducing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 56 is a flow chart showing an emphasis reproducing processing ofaudio data performed in the reproducing apparatus according to the sixthembodiment; and

FIG. 57 is a flow chart showing another emphasis reproducing processingof audio data performed in the reproducing apparatus according to thesixth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of an encoding apparatus of an audio signal, anaudio disc and a disc reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention are described with reference to the drawings.

In a transitional period from a CD age to a DVD-audio disc age, theDVD-audio disc is applicable for stereo 2-channel signals and formulti-channel signals (for example, 5-channel signals, 6-channel signalsand/or 8-channel signals called 5/6/8-channel signals). That, not onlythe stereo 2-channel signals can be recorded as an audio signal in theDVD-audio disc, but also the 5/6/8-channel signals can be recorded as anaudio signal in the DVD-audio disc. After the transitional period, theDVD-audio disc is applicable only for the 5/6/8-channel signals, so thatthe 5/6/8-channel signals can be only recorded as an audio signal in theDVD-audio disc.

FIG. 1A is an explanatory view showing a data format in a DVD-video discaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B isan explanatory view showing a data format based on initial standards ina DVD-audio disk (and a DVD-Avd disk) according to the first embodimentof the present invention.

Though area names in a data format of a DVD-video disc differ from thosein a data format of a DVD-audio disc, the data formats are compatiblewith each other.

As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a data format in a DVD-video disc iscomposed of a top area of a video manager (VMG) and areas of a pluralityof video title sets (VTS) succeeding the VMG, and a data format in aDVD-audio disc (and a DVD-Avd disc described in a third embodiment) iscomposed of a top area of an audio manager (AMG) shown in FIG. 2 indetail and areas of a plurality of audio title sets (ATS) succeeding theAMG.

Each VMG includes video manager information (VMGI) for managing thevideo title sets (VTS).

Each VTS is composed of a top area of VTS information (VTSI), one ormore areas of one or more video contents block sets (VCBS) succeedingthe VTS and a final area of a VTS information (VTSI) arranged in thatorder, and each ATS is composed of a top area of ATS information (ATSI),one or more areas of one or more audio contents block sets (ACBS) and afinal area of an ATS information (ATSI) arranged in that order. Contentsof each musical composition is set in the area of one ACBS, and amusical performance time of each musical composition is set in the areaof one ATSI.

Each VCBS is composed of a plurality of video contents block (VCB)respectively corresponding to one title of a video, and each VCB iscomposed of a plurality of chapters. Each chapter includes a part oftitle (PTT). Also, each ACBS is composed of a plurality of audiocontents blocks (ACB) respectively corresponding to one title of anaudio, and each ACB is composed of a plurality of tracks correspondingto the chapters. Each track includes a part of title (PTT).

Each chapter is composed of a plurality of cells, each cell is composedof a plurality of VCB units (VCBU), and each VCBU is composed of aplurality of packs. Also, each track is composed of a plurality ofindexes corresponding to the cells, each index is composed of aplurality of ACB units (ACBU) corresponding to the VCB units, and eachACBU is composed of a plurality of packs. Each pack of the ACBU (or theVCBU) is composed of 2048 bytes, and Each pack of the VCBU is composedof 2048 bytes.

The packs of the VCBU are classified into a control (CONT) pack placedin the top area, a plurality of video (V) packs, a plurality of audio(A) packs and a plurality of sub-picture (SP) packs succeeding the CONTpack. Also, the packs of the ACBU are classified into an audio-control(A-CONT) pack placed in the top area, a plurality of audio (A) packs anda plurality of video (V) packs succeeding the A-CONT pack.

In the CONT pack, information for controlling the video packs succeedingthe CONT pack is arranged. In the A-CONT pack, information (for example,TOC information arranged in the CD) for managing an audio signal of theaudio packs succeeding the A-CONT pack is arranged. In each audio pack,audio data is arranged. In each video pack, video data and data (forexample, closed caption (CC) data) other than the audio data arearranged.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the audiomanager (AMG).

As shown in FIG. 2, the audio manager (AMG) is composed of audio managerinformation (AMGI) shown in FIG. 4 in detail, an audio contents blockset of an AMG menu (AMGM-ACBS), and an AMGI for back-up. The AMGM-ACBSincludes presentation control information (PCI) and data searchinformation (DSI) as control information.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the audiotitle set (ATS).

As shown in FIG. 3, the audio title set (ATS) is composed of an audiotitle set information (ATSI) shown in FIG. 7 in detail, an audiocontents block set of an ATS menu (ATSM-ACBS), an audio contents blockset (ATST-ACBS) of an ATS title, and an ATSI for back-up. The ATSM-ACBSand the ATST-ACBS respectively have the PCI and the DSI shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the audiomanager information (AMGI).

As shown in FIG. 4, the audio manager information (AMGI) for managingthe audio title sets (ATS) is composed of an AMGI management table(AMGI-MAT), a title search pointer table (T-SRPT), an audio manager menuPGCI unit table (AMGM-PGCI-UT), a pair rental management informationtable (PTL-MAIT), an audio title set-attribute table (ATS-ATRT) shown inFIG. 5 in detail, a text data manager (TXTDT-MG), an audio manager menucell (index) address table (AMGM-C-ADT), and an audio manager menu-audiocontents block unit-address map (AMGM-ACBU-ADMAP).

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the audiotitle set-attribute table (ATS-ATRT).

As shown in FIG. 5, the audio title set-attribute table (ATS-ATRT) iscomposed of audio title set attribute table information (ATS-ATRTI),each audio title set attribute search pointer (ATS-ATR-SRP#1-#n) of aplurality of ATSs (n ATSs), and each audio title set-attribute data(ATS-ATR-#1-#n) of a plurality of ATSs (n ATSs).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the audiotitle set-attribute data (ATS-ATR).

As shown in FIG. 6, the audio title set-attribute data (ATS-ATR) iscomposed of an end address (ATS-ATR-EA), a category (ATS-CAT), andattribute information (ATS-ATRI).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the audiotitle set information (ATSI).

As shown in FIG. 7, the audio title set information (ATSI) shown in FIG.3 is composed of an audio title set information-management table(ATSI-MAT) shown in FIG. 8 in detail, an audio title set-part oftitle-search pointer table (ATS-PTT-SRPT), an audio title set-programchain information table (ATS-PGCIT), an audio title set menu-programchain-unit table (ATSM-PGCI-UT), an audio title set-time map table(ATS-TMAPT), an audio title set menu-cell-address table (ATSM-C-ADT), anaudio title set menu-audio contents block unit-address map(ATSM-ACBU-ADMAP), an audio title set-cell-address table (ATS-C-ADT),and an audio title set-audio contents block unit-address map(ATS-ACBU-ADMAP).

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the audiotitle set information-management table (ATSI-MAT).

As shown in FIG. 8, the audio title set information-management table(ATSI-MAT) is composed of an identifier (ATS-ID), an end address(ATS-EA), an ATSI-EA, a version number of an DVD-audio specification(VERN), a category (ATS-CAT), an ATSI-MAT-EA, a start address(ATSM-ACBS-SA), an ATST-ACBS-SA, an ATS-PTA-SRPT-SA, ATS-PGCIT-SA,ATSM-PGCI-UT-SA, ATS-TMAP-SA, ATSM-C-ADT-SA, ATSM-ACBU-ADMAP-SA, anaudio stream-attribute data (ATSM-AST-ATR) shown in FIG. 9 in detail,the number of audio streams of the ATS (ATS-AST-Ns), and an audiostream-attribute table of the ATS (ATS-AST-ATRT).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the audiotitle set menu-audio stream-attribute data (ATSM-AST-ATR).

As shown in FIG. 9, the ATSM-AST-ATR has 8 bytes (from the bit No. b63to the bit No. b0), pieces of data D1 to D4 expressing attributes of acoded audio signal recorded in the DVD-audio disc are arranged as theATSM-AST-ATR.

-   (1) D1: audio coding mode (3 bits, from the bit No. b63 to the bit    No. b61)

Data “000b” denotes a mode of Dolby-AC-3 prescribed by DolbyLaboratories Incorporation.

Data “010b” denotes a mode of MPEG-1 (Moving Picture Experts,Group-1) orMPEG-2 (no extended bit stream).

Data “011b” denotes a mode of MPEG-2 (including an extended bit stream).

Data “100b” denotes a mode of a linear PCM audio.

Data “101b” denotes a mode of a linear PCM audio (including 2-ch+5-ch,2-ch+6-ch, and 2-ch+8-ch).

-   (2) D2: quantization/DRC (dynamic range control) information (2    bits, from the bit No. b55 to the bit No. b54)

Data “11b” is set in case of the audio coding mode “000b”.

In case of the audio coding mode indicated by data D1=“010b” or “011b”,data “00b” indicating information that any dynamic range control datadoes not exist in the MPEG audio stream, data “01b” indicatinginformation that dynamic range control data exists in the MPEG audiostream, data “10b” indicating information of “reserve” or data “11b”indicating information of “reserve” is set.

In case of the audio coding mode indicated by data D1=“100b” or “101b”,data “00” indicating information of 16 bits, data “01b” indicatinginformation of 20 bits, data “10b” indicating information of 24 bits ordata “11b” indicating information of “reserve” is set for the stereo2-channel.

-   (3) D3: sampling frequency Fs (2 bits, from the bit No. b53 to the    bit No. b52)

Data “00b” indicating a frequency of 48 kHz, data “01b” indicating afrequency of 96 kHz, data “10b” indicating a frequency of 192 kHz is setfor the stereo 2-channel.

-   (4) D4: the number of audio channels (3 bits, from the bit b50 to    the bit b48)

Data “000b” indicating 1 channel (monophonic), data “001b” indicating 2channels (stereo), data “010b” indicating 3 channels, data “011b”indicating 4 channels, data “100b” indicating 2 channels (stereo) and 5channels, data “101b” indicating 2 channels (stereo) and 6 channels,data “110b” indicating 7 channels or data “111b” indicating 2 channels(stereo) and 8 channels is set.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the audiotitle set-audio stream-attribute table (ATS-AST-ATRT).

As shown in FIG. 10, the audio title set-audio stream-attribute table(ATS-AST-ATRT) is composed of a plurality of ATS-AST-ATRs of audiostreams #0˜#7 shown in FIG. 11 in detail, and each ATS-AST-ATR has 8bytes, so that the ATS-AST-ATRT has 64 bytes (8*8).

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of theattribute data (ATS-AST-ATR).

As shown in FIG. 11, the attribute data (ATS-AST-ATR) of each audiostream has 8 bytes (64 bits from the bit No. b63 to the bit No. b0) inthe same manner as the audio title set menu-audio stream-attribute data(ATSM-AST-ATR) shown in FIG. 9. The ATS-AST-ATR is composed of theattribute data D1, D2, D3 and D4 described above, data D5 indicatingmulti-channel extension (1 bit, the bit No. b60), data D6 indicating anaudio type (2 bits, the bit No. b59 and the bit No. b58), data D7indicating an audio application mode (2 bits, the bit No. b57 and thebit No. b56), data D8 indicating data thinning-out information of theaudio stream (AST) (2 bits, the bit No. b47 and the bit No. b46) anddata D9 indicating data thinning-out information of 1-channel lowfrequency effect (LFE).

Also, data D7=“11b” indicating a 2-channel and surround mode is recordedas the audio application mode of the DVD-audio disc, and data D8=“00b”indicating “full” ( 1/1), data D8=“01b” indicating “half” (½) or dataD8=“10b” indicating “quarter” (¼) is recorded as band information of thedata thinning-out information. Also, the data D9 is recorded in the samemanner as the data D8.

Also, the number of audio channels indicated by the data D4 of theATS-AST-ATR is necessarily 2 channels in the audio stream #0, and thenumber of audio channels is 3 channels of the front side in the audiostream #1. That is, in cases where an audio signal corresponding to onetitle is recorded at 2 channels and 6 channels, the 2-channel stereosignal is allocated to the audio stream #0, the front signal of 3channels extracted from the 6 channels is allocated to the audio stream#1, the rear signal of 2 channels extracted from the 6 channels and theLFE signal of 1 channel extracted from the 6 channels are allocated tothe audio stream #2, and a numeral “3” is recorded in the audiomanagement information-management table (AMGI-MAT) shown in FIG. 4 andthe audio title set information-management table (ATSI-MAT) shown inFIG. 8 as data indicating the use of three audio streams #0 to #2.

Also, for example, a sampling operation is performed for an analog audiosignal of (2+6) channels at following sampling frequencies Fs, and thesampled signal is quantized at following quantizing bit numbers torecord the quantized signal.

channel sampling frequency Fs quantizing bit number stereo 2 channels 48kHz 20 bits front 2 channels 96 kHz 16 bits rear 2 channels 48 kHz 16bits LFE 1 channel (no thinning-out)In this case, data D1=“101b” indicating the linear PCM audio (including2-ch+5-ch, 2-ch+6-ch, and 2-ch+8-ch) as the audio coding mode, the dataD2=“01b” indicating 20 bits as the quantization/DRC (dynamic rangecontrol) information, the data D3=“00b” indicating 48 kHz as thesampling frequency Fs and the data D4=“101b” indicating stereo 2channels and 6 channels as the number of audio channels are recorded asattributes of the stereo 2 channels in the area of the audio title setmenu-audio stream-attribute data (ATSM-AST-ATR).

Also, data D1=“101b” indicating the linear PCM audio (including2-ch+5-ch, 2-ch+6-ch, and 2-ch+8-ch) as the audio coding mode, the dataD2=“01b” indicating 20 bits as the quantization/DRC (dynamic rangecontrol) information, the data D3=“00b” indicating 48 kHz as thesampling frequency Fs, the data D4=“001b” indicating stereo 2 channelsas the number of audio channels, the data D7=“11b” indicating 2 channelsand the surround mode as the audio application mode, the data D8=“00b”indicating “full” ( 1/1) as the data thinning-out information of acorresponding audio stream and the data D9=“00b” indicating “full” (1/1) as the data thinning-out information of the LFE 1 channel arerecorded in the area of the ATS-AST-ATR of the audio stream #0.

Also, data D1=“101b” indicating the linear PCM audio (including2-ch+5-ch, 2-ch+6-ch, and 2-ch+8-ch) as the audio coding mode, the dataD2=“00b” indicating 16 bits as the quantization/DRC (dynamic rangecontrol) information, the data D3=“01b” indicating 96 kHz as thesampling frequency Fs, the data D4=“010b” indicating 3 channels as thenumber of audio channels, the data D7=“11b” indicating 2 channels andthe surround mode as the audio application mode, the data D8=“00b”indicating “full” ( 1/1) as the data thinning-out information of acorresponding audio stream and the data D9=“00b” indicating “full” (1/1) as the data thinning-out information of the LFE 1 channel arerecorded in the area of the ATS-AST-ATR of the audio stream #1.

Also, data D1=“101b” indicating the linear PCM audio (including2-ch+5-ch, 2-ch+6-ch, and 2-ch+8-ch) as the audio coding mode, the dataD2=“0b” indicating 16 bits as the quantization/DRC (dynamic rangecontrol) information, the data D3=“00b” indicating 48 kHz as thesampling frequency Fs, the data D4=“010b” indicating 3 channels as thenumber of audio channels, the data D7=“11b” indicating 2 channels andthe surround mode as the audio application mode, the data D8=“00b”indicating “full” ( 1/1) as the data thinning-out information of acorresponding audio stream and the data D9=“00b” indicating “full” (1/1) as the data thinning-out information of the LFE 1 channel arerecorded in the area of the ATS-AST-ATR of the audio stream #2.

Next, the audio (A) pack and the audio-control (A-CONT) pack recorded inthe audio stream are described.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing the audio contents block unit(ACBU) shown in FIG. 1B.

As shown in FIG. 12, each VCB unit of the ACBU is composed of aplurality of packs corresponding to a time period ranging from 0.4 to1.0 second (the number of packs is arbitrary), and each ACB unit of theACBU is composed of a plurality of packs corresponding to a time periodranging from 0.5 to 1.0 second (the number of packs is arbitrary). Also,the A-CONT pack in the ACB unit of the DVD-audio format is arranged asthe third pack in the VCB unit of the DVD-video format.

The A-CONT pack is basically arranged for each audio time of 0.5 second,and a final A-CONT pack placed in the end portion of each index isspaced apart from an A-CONT pack adjacent to the final A-CONT pack at atime period ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 second. Also, a group of audio frameunits (GOF) corresponding to one audio time is indicated by the A-CONTpack, and a data position of the A-CONT pack is determined by the numberof audio frames, the number of first access unit pointers and the numberof frame headers. Also, it is not required that the A pack just beforethe A-CONT pack is packed at an interval of 0.5 second in the audiotime.

A pair of audio packs A1 adjacent to each other are arranged tocorrelate audio signals of the audio packs A1 with each other. Forexample, an audio pack A1 of an L-channel audio signal is adjacent to anaudio pack A1 of a R-channel audio signal in case of a stereo. Also, aplurality of adjacent audio packs A1 of audio signals in a multi-channelsuch as 5/6/8 channels are arranged to correlate a plurality of audiosignals of the adjacent audio packs A1 with each other. In cases where avideo is displayed when an audio signal is reproduced, a video pack ofthe video is arranged in adjacent to an audio pack of the audio signal.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of each pack(the audio pack and the video pack).

As shown in FIG. 13, in each pack (A pack and V pack), a pack header (14bytes) composed of pack start information of 4 bytes, system clockreference (SCR) information of 6 bytes, multiplex (MUX) rate informationof 3 bytes and a stuffing of 1 byte is added to user data (audio data ofthe pack or video data of the pack) of 2034 bytes. Therefore, each pack(A pack and V pack) has 2048 bytes. In this case, the SCR informationdenoting a time stamp is set to “1” in the top pack of each ACB unitcorresponding to one title, and the values of the SCR information in thepacks of the same title are consecutively changed. Therefore, theplayback time for the A packs in the same title can be managed.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the audiocontrol (A-CONT) pack.

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 14, a back header of 14 bytes, a systemheader of 24 bytes, an audio character display (ACD) packet of 1003bytes and an audio search data (ASD) packet of 1007 bytes are arrangedin that order in each A-CONT pack. Also, a packet header of 6 bytes,sub-stream identification data of 1 byte, audio character display (ACD)information of 636 bytes shown in FIG. 15 in detail and a reserve areaof 360 bytes are arranged in that order in each ACD packet. The audiocharacter display (ACD) information indicates display characters (or adisplay text) relating to audio data of the audio (A) packs succeedingthe A-CONT pack, and the display characters indicated by the audiocharacter display (ACD) information are displayed while reproducing theaudio data of the A packs. Also, the ASD packet is composed of a packetheader of 6 bytes, sub-stream identification data of 1 byte and audiosearch data (ASD) of 1000 bytes shown in FIG. 17 in detail. The audiosearch data (ASD) denotes display time control data for controlling adisplay time of the display characters indicated by the audio characterdisplay (ACD) information.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the audiocharacter display (ACD) area.

As shown in FIG. 15, an area of the ACD information is composed of anarea (48 bytes) for general information, an area (294 bytes) forcharacters CH1 of a first language and an area (294 bytes) forcharacters CH2 of a second language. Each character area is composed ofan area (93 bytes) of a name space, two areas of two free spacesrespectively having 93 bytes, an area (15 bytes) of a data pointer.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an example displayed according toinformation arranged in the name space area.

Title information indicating a music name in Japanese is arranged in oneof the name space areas of the characters CH1 and CH2, so that the musicname is, for example, displayed in Japanese. Also, title informationindicating the music name in English is arranged in the other name spacearea, so that the music name is displayed in English as shown in FIG.16. It is applicable that the information be set by a disc sellingagency.

The general information of 48 bytes is, for example, composed of servicelevel information of 16 bytes, language code information of 12 bytes,character set code information of 6 bytes, display item information of 6bytes, “difference of ACD information from previous ACD information”information of 2 bytes and reserve information of 6 bytes. The servicelevel information of 16 bytes indicates a display size of the titleinformation, a display type of the title information, a distinctionbetween audio information, video information and sub-picture (SP)information, and an audio stream. Also, the characters of the titleinformation is mandatory, and a bit map of the title information isoptional. In the language code information of 12 bytes, the firstlanguage and the second language are respectively indicated by alanguage code of 2 bytes in the same manner as in a video file, and thelanguage code information can indicate a maximum of 8 languages. Englishis mandatory.

As the character set code information of 6 bytes, a maximum of 15character codes corresponding to the language codes can be arranged. Theexistence of the characters Ch1 or Ch2 in one language and a type of thelanguage are indicated by a character code of 1 byte. For example,character codes ISO646, ISO8859-1 and MS-JIS are used.

The display item information of 6 bytes indicates the existence of dataarranged in each free space, the existence of data arranged in the datapointer and an identifier. Data arranged in the name space is mandatory,and a title name, a music name and an artist name are necessarilywritten.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the audiosearch data (ASD) area.

As shown in FIG. 17, the audio search data (ASD) of 1000 bytes iscomposed of general information of 16 bytes, current number informationof 8 bytes, current date and time information of 16 bytes, title setsearch information of 8 bytes, title search information of 8 bytes,track search information of 404 bytes, index search information of 408bytes, highlight search information of 80 bytes and a reserve area of 52bytes.

The current number information of 8 bytes is composed of a current titlenumber (2 bytes: BCD) in a title set, a current track number (2 bytes:BCD) in the title set, a current index number (2 bytes: BCD) in a trackand a reserve area (2 bytes). The current date and time information of16 bytes is composed of a playback time (4 bytes: BCD) in the track, aplayback time (4 bytes: BCD) in the remaining portion of the track, anabsolute time (4 bytes: BCD) in a title and an absolute time (4 bytes:BCD) in the remaining portion of the title.

The title set search information of 8 bytes is composed of a top sectornumber (4 bytes) of the title set and a final sector number (4 bytes) ofthe title set. The title set search information of 8 bytes is composedof a top sector number (4 bytes) of one title and a final sector number(4 bytes) of the title. The track search information of 404 bytes iscomposed of track and sector numbers (4 bytes*99) of one title, a toptrack number (4 bytes) of the title and a final track number (4 bytes)of the title.

The index search information of 408 bytes is composed of index andsector numbers (4 bytes*100) of one track, a top index number (4 bytes)of the track and a final index number (4 bytes) of the track. Thehighlight search information of 80 bytes is composed of a plurality ofin-sector numbers (4 bytes* 100) of one track and a plurality ofout-sector numbers (4 bytes*100) of the track.

In the above DVD-audio format of the DVD-audio disc, because the A-CONTpack of the DVD-audio format is arranged at the top portion of each ACBUin the same manner as the TOC information of the CD to manage an audiosignal of a group of A packs succeeding the A-CONT pack, audio datapacked in the A packs is not integrally formed with video data of Vpacks. Therefore, the audio data is arranged independent of the videodata, so that a memory capacity for the audio data can be sufficientlyobtained.

Also, an audio playback time of the audio data can be managed accordingto audio control data of the A-CONT pack, and information of simplecharacters such as a music name relating to the audio data can be easilyextracted from the ACD area of the A-CONT pack and can be displayed.

Also, TOC information such as information of a title, information of astart address, information of a music playing time and the like isarranged in the A-CONT pack, even though the reproduction of the audiodata is continued, the information corresponding to a user's operationcan be extracted from the TOC information of the A-CONT pack, and thereproduction of the extracted information can be started. Therefore, theextracted information can be displayed while the user entertains amusical composition. Also, in cases where the TOC information isarranged in the audio manager information (AMGI) and the audio title setinformation (ATSI), the TOC information is stored in a memory of a discreproducing apparatus, the information corresponding to a user'soperation can be immediately extracted, from the memory, and thereproduction of the extracted information can be started. Also, though alarge capacity of information like program chain information (PGCI) isusually recorded in the DVD-video disc, because it is not required torecord a large capacity of information like program chain information(PGCI) in the DVD-audio disc, the DVD-audio disc can be efficientlymanaged.

Also, in cases where any video (V) data is not arranged in ACBS, threeeffects can be obtained. That is, a search operation and a random accessoperation for each title-music-index of three hierarchies can beperformed (first effect). The detection of a top portion of each audioframe unit of the GOF, a time search and a random access can beperformed (second effect). A time for playing back each title, a timefor playing back each musical composition and a time for playing backeach index can be managed in real time (third effect).

Also, in cases where video (V) data is arranged in the ACBS, the firstto third effects can be obtained for the audio data, and a current timeand a remaining time can be displayed and managed in real time for theaudio data during the reproduction of each title or music. Also, incases where video (V) data is arranged in contents, following effectscan be obtained for the video data. A search operation and a randomaccess operation for each title-PTT-cell of three hierarchies can beperformed (first effect for the video data). The detection of a topportion of each video frame unit, a time search and a random access canbe performed (second effect for the video data). A time for displayingeach title, a time for displaying each PTT and a time for displayingeach cell can be managed in real time (third effect for the video data).A current time and a remaining time can be displayed and managed invideo frame unit time during the reproduction of each title or PTT(fourth effect for the video data).

In this embodiment, each ACBU of the DVD-audio format shown in FIG. 1Bincludes one A-CONT pack and one CONT pack. However, as shown in FIG.18, it is applicable that each ACBU does not include any CONT pack. Inthis case, though any video signal is not recorded in the DVD-audiodisc, a recording capacity for the audio signal in the DVD-audio disccan be increased, so that a size of the DVD-audio disc can be madesmall. Also, because a reproducing mechanism in a disc reproducingapparatus can be simplified, so that a DVD-audio disc suitable for aportable type disc reproducing apparatus can be obtained.

Next, a disc reproducing apparatus for the DVD-audio disc is describedwith reference to FIG. 19.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a reproducing apparatus for aDVD-audio disc and its peripheral devices according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

Pieces of data are modulated in the eight to fourteen modulation (EFM)to produce pieces of bit data, and the pieces of bit data are recordedin a DVD-audio disc 1 to have a data structure described above accordingto the first embodiment. When a control signal indicating a musicselection, a reproducing operation, a fast feeding operation or areproduction stopping operation is sent from a remote control unit 19 oran operating unit 18 to a control unit 23, a driving unit 2 and a discreproducing apparatus 17 are controlled by the control unit 23. In caseswhere the reproducing operation is instructed by the unit 18 or 19, thebit data recorded in the DVD-audio disc 1 are read out by the drivingunit 2, and an EFM demodulation is performed for the bit data.Therefore, a readout signal is obtained.

In the disc reproducing apparatus 17, the readout signal is sent to aCONT pack detecting unit 3 and an A-CONT pack detecting unit 9. In theCONT pack detecting unit 3, each CONT pack is detected from readout dataof the readout signal, one or more control parameters of the CONT packare set in a parameter unit 8, and a plurality of V packs controlled bythe CONT pack are detected from the readout data of the readout signaland are written in a video (V) pack buffer 4 one after another. Piecesof user data (a video signal, sub-picture signal) of the V packs writtenin the V pack buffer 4 are read out by a buffer data reading-out unit 5in the pack order indicated by the SCR (refer to FIG. 13) of each V packand in the outputting time order indicated by a presentation time stamp(PTS) of the CONT pack. Thereafter, the user data are processed in animage converting unit 6 and a digital/analog (D/A) converting unit 7 andare output as an analog video signal through a pair of video outputterminals 15 a and 15 b.

Also, in the A-CONT pack detecting unit 9, each A-CONT pack is detectedfrom the readout data of the readout signal, one or more controlparameters of the A-CONT pack are set in a parameter unit 14, and aplurality of A packs to be controlled by the A-CONT pack are detectedfrom the readout data of the readout signal and are written in an A packbuffer 10 one after another. Pieces of user data (an audio signal) ofthe A packs written in the A pack buffer 10 are read out by a bufferdata reading-out unit 11 in the pack order indicated by the SCR (referto FIG. 13) of each A pack and in the outputting time order indicated bya current time of audio search data (ASD) of each A-CONT pack.Thereafter, the user data are processed in a pulse count modulation(PCM) converting unit 12 and a D/A converting unit 13 and are output asan analog audio signal through an audio output terminals 16. Also,display data (corresponding to audio character display information (ACD)shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16) of the A-CONT pack is sent to a displaysignal producing unit 20, and a display signal is produced from thedisplay data. The display signal is output through a display signaloutput terminal 22 and/or is output to a character displaying unit 21.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram functionally showing the disc reproducingapparatus 17 and its peripheral devices shown in FIG. 19.

In FIG. 20, a reading-out means 2 corresponds to the driving apparatus 2shown in FIG. 19, a readout signal processing and demultiplexing means A(9, 10, 11 and 14) corresponds to the A-CONT pack detecting unit 9, theA pack buffer 10, the buffer data reading-out unit 11 and the parameterunit 14, an audio signal outputting means (12, 13) corresponds to thePCM converting unit 12 and the D/A converting unit 13, and a textinformation outputting means 20 corresponds to the display signalproducing unit 20. Also, a readout signal processing and demultiplexingmeans V (3, 4, 5 and 8) corresponds to the CONT pack detecting unit 3,the V pack buffer 4, the buffer data reading-out unit 5 and theparameter unit 8, and a video signal outputting means (6, 7) and asub-picture information outputting means (6, 7) correspond to the imageconverting unit 6 and the D/A converting unit 7. A displaying means 21corresponds to the character displaying unit 21, and a control means 23corresponds to the control unit 23.

As shown in FIG. 20, when a command signal indicating to play back aremarked musical composition is transmitted from the operating unit 18or the remote control apparatus 19 to the control means 23, an addresscontrol information signal corresponding to the command signal istransmitted from the control means 23 to the reading-out means 2, sothat the reading-out means 2 reads out data of the remarked musicalcomposition from the DVD-audio disc 1 to obtain a readout data. Thereadout data is processed and demultiplexed in the readout signalprocessing and demultiplexing means A to obtain A-CONT information, anaudio signal and text information (or character information) from thereadout data. The A-CONT information is sent to the control means 23,the audio signal is sent to the audio signal outputting means (12, 13),and the text information is sent to the text information outputtingmeans 20. Also, the readout data is processed and demultiplexed in thereadout signal processing and demultiplexing means V to obtain CONTinformation, a video signal and sub-picture information from the readoutdata. The CONT information is sent to the control means 23, the videosignal is sent to the video signal outputting means (6, 7), and thesub-picture signal is sent to the sub-picture information outputtingmeans (6, 7).

Next, a disc reproducing apparatus using table-of-contents (TOC)information is described according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of audiomanager information (AMGI).

As shown in FIG. 21, TOC information shown in FIG. 22 in detail isadditionally recorded in an empty area of audio manager information(AMGI), a disc reproducing apparatus accesses to the TOC information, sothat the top of a remarked musical composition is detected.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing an example of general TOCinformation recorded in a read-in area of a CD.

As shown in FIG. 22, the same information is repeatedly recorded threetimes in a CD. When the TOC information is recorded in the DVD-audiodisc, each piece of information of the TOC information is repeatedlyrecorded in the same manner as in the CD, or each piece of informationof the TOC information is recorded only once.

In the TOC information used in the CD, in case of points ranging from 00to 99, an absolute time (PMIN, PSEC, PFRAME), at which each movement ofa musical composition (or each musical composition) indicated by a pointvalue is started, is expressed by PMIN indicating minute, PSECindicating second and PFRAME indicating frame. Also, PMIN=01 forpoint=A0 indicates the first movement (or the first musicalcomposition), and PSEC=PFRAME=0 is set. Also, PMIN=06 for point=A1indicates the final movement (or the final musical composition), andPSEC=PFRAME=0 is set. Also, in case of point=A2, an absolute time, atwhich a read-out area is started, is expressed by PMIN indicatingminute, PSEC indicating second and PFRAME indicating frame. Therefore,the TOC information shown in FIG. 22 indicates that six movements of onemusical composition (or six musical compositions) are recorded in theDVD-audio disc 1 (from point=01 to point=06).

In this embodiment, the TOC information is recorded in an empty area ofthe AMGI. However, as shown in FIG. 23, it is applicable that the TOCinformation be additionally recorded in an empty area of audio title setinformation (ATSI). Also, it is applicable that the TOC information beadditionally recorded in a reserve area (360 bytes) of the ACD packet ofthe A-CONT pack shown in FIG. 14.

Next, an audio signal encoding apparatus is described.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an audio signal encoding apparatusaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention. An audiosignal and a video signal processed in the encoding apparatus areprepared according to a DVD video standard as an example of a prescribedstandard in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 24, an analog audio signal A is sampled in an A/Dconverter 31 at a high sampling frequency (corresponding to a samplingfrequency Δt) such as 192 kHz, so that a PCM digital audio signal havinga high resolution is produced from the analog audio signal. The PCMdigital audio signal is composed of a series of PCM audio data(Xb1,X1,Xa1,X2,Xb2,X3,Xa2,--,Xbi,X2i-1,Xai,X2i,--) corresponding to ahigh resolution curved line α. Here, each piece of PCM audio data is,for example, expressed by 24 bits, and the symbol “i” is a positiveintegral number. Thereafter, the series of PCM audio data{Xbi,X2i-1,Xai,X2i} is encoded in a signal processing circuit 32 shownin FIG. 25 in detail and a memory 33 and is sent to a DVD formattingunit 34.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of the signal processing circuit 32.

As shown in FIG. 25, a frequency band of the series of PCM audio data{Xbi,X2i-1,Xai,X2i} is limited to half in a low pass filter (LPF) 36such as a finite-duration impulse-response (FIR) filter. Therefore, aseries of band limited audio data(Xc1,*,*,*,Xc2,*,*,*,Xc3,*,*,*,--,Xci,*,*,*,--) corresponding to a lowresolution curved line β is produced as a band limited digital audiosignal from the series of PCM audio data {Xbi,X2i-1,Xai,X2i}. Here, thesymbol “*” denotes one piece of band limited audio data.

Thereafter, in a first data thinning-out circuit 37, the piece of data“*” are removed from the series of band limited audio data, and a seriesof sampling frequency reduced data {Xci}=(Xc1,Xc2,Xc3,--,Xci,--) isproduced as a sampling frequency reduced signal from the series of bandlimited audio data. The series of sampling frequency reduced data {Xci}denotes a data series obtained by band-limiting the series of PCM audiodata {Xbi,X2i-1,Xai,X2i} and reducing the sampling frequency (192 kHz)to ¼.

Also, in a second data thinning-out circuit 38, the pieces of data Xiare removed from the PCM audio data {Xbi,X2i-1,Xai,X2i}, and a series ofthinned-out audio data (Xb1, Xa1,Xb2,Xa2,--,Xbi,Xai,--) is produced as athinned-out audio signal from the PCM audio data.

Thereafter, in a difference calculating circuit 39 made of an adder, adifference Δ1i=Xbi−Xci and a difference Δ2i=Xai−Xci are calculated, sothat a series of differential audio data {Δ1i} and a series ofdifferential audio data {Δ2i} are produced from the series of samplingfrequency reduced data {Xci} and the series of thinned-out audio data{Xbi,Xai}. The differential audio data Δ1i and Δ2i can be respectivelyexpressed by 24 bits (=3 bytes) or less, and the number of bitsexpressing each piece of differential data is set to a fixed value of 24or is set to be variable.

Thereafter, in an allocation circuit 40, the series of samplingfrequency reduced data {Xci}, the series of differential audio data{Δ1i} and the series of differential audio data {Δ2i} are packed toproduce a packet of user data {Xci,Δ1i,Δ2i} (refer to FIG. 13) having2034 bytes (1 packet=2034 bytes). The packet of user data {Xci,Δ1i,Δ2i}is output to the DVD formatting unit 34.

Also, in cases where each piece of PCM audio data is expressed by 16bits, it is applicable that the series of PCM audio data{Xbi,X2i-1,Xai,X2i} be directly packed in the allocation circuit 40 toproduce a packet of user data {Xbi,X2i-1,Xai,X2i}. In this case, thepacket of user data {Xbi,X2i-1,Xai,X2i} is output to the DVD formattingunit 34.

Also, an analog video signal V is converted into a digital video signalin an A/D converting unit 31V, the digital video signal is encoded in aV encoder 32V to produce pieces encoded video data of the MPEG format,the pieces encoded video data are packed to produce a packet of userdata shown in FIG. 13, and the packet of user data is sent to the DVDformatting unit 34.

In the DVD formatting unit 34, the packet of user data produced from theanalog audio signal and the packet of user data produced from the analogvideo signal are packed in a format shown in FIG. 1C, FIG. 13, FIG. 29A,FIG. 15, FIG. 16 and FIG. 26. Thereafter, the data formatted in the DVDformatting unit 34 are modulated in a modulating circuit 35 according toa modulation method corresponding to a DVD-audio disc 41 (or a DVD-Avddisc 41) to produce pieces of modulated data, and the pieces ofmodulated data are recorded in the DVD-audio disc (or a DVD-Avd disc).

In the CONT pack of each video contents block unit (VCBU) of theDVD-video format shown in FIG. 1A, information (shown in FIG. 26 to FIG.28 in detail) for controlling a plurality of packs such as V packssucceeding the CONT pack is arranged. Also, audio data is arranged ineach A pack shown in FIG. 13, and closed caption (CC) data is arrangedas well as video data in each V pack shown in FIG. 13 as data other thanaudio data. Also, a D pack of real time information data (D) is arrangedin each audio contents block unit (ACBU) of the DVD-audio format shownin FIG. 1C, and text information relating to audio data of the A packsof the ACBU and a displaying time of the text information are arrangedin the D pack as the real time information data.

In cases where a first audio signal arranged in one A1 pack relates to asecond audio signal arranged in one A2 pack, as shown in FIG. 1C, the A1pack and the A2 pack are arranged in adjacent to each other. Forexample, because an L-channel audio signal and a R-channel audio signalrelating to each other in stereo are arranged in adjacent to each otherin the ACBU. Also, a plurality of audio signals relating to each otherin multi-channel such as 5/6/8 channels are arranged in adjacent to eachother in the ACBU.

Also, in cases where a text (or characters) is displayed during thereproduction of an audio signal, a D pack indicating the text isarranged in adjacent to an A pack indicating the audio signal. Also, incases where a still picture is displayed during the reproduction of anaudio signal, a V pack or SPCT pack indicating the still picture isarranged in adjacent to an A pack indicating the audio signal.

As shown in FIG. 13, in each D pack, a pack header (14 bytes) composedof pack start information of 4 bytes, system clock reference (SCR)information of 6 bytes, multiplex (MUX) rate information of 3 bytes anda stuffing of 1 byte is added to user data of 2034 bytes in the samemanner as in the A pack and V pack.

Next, the configuration of pieces of information packed in the CONT packis described in detail with reference to FIG. 26 to FIG. 28.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of a CONT packshown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 27 is an explanatory view showing in detailpresentation control information (PCI) data shown in FIG. 26, and FIG.28 is an explanatory view showing in detail data search information(DSI) data shown in FIG. 26.

As shown in FIG. 26, the CONT pack, called a navigation (Nv) pack in theDVD video standard, is composed of a pack header of 14 bytes, a systemheader of 24 bytes, a presentation control information (PCI) packet of986 bytes and a data search information (DSI) packet of 1024 bytes. ThePCI is called reproduction control information, and the PCI packet iscomposed of a packet header of 6 bytes, a sub-stream identification of 1byte and PCI data of 979 bytes. The DSI packet is composed of a packetheader of 6 bytes, a sub-stream identification of 1 byte and DSI data of1017 bytes.

As shown in FIG. 27, the PCI data, which denotes navigation data forcontrolling the reproduction of a VOBU, is composed of PCI generalinformation (PCI-GI) of 60 bytes, a non-seamless angle information(NSML-AGLI) of 36 bytes, highlight information (HLI) of 694 bytes andrecord information (RECI) of 189 bytes. Here, the VCBU shown in FIG. 1Ais the same as the VOBU provided in the DVD video standard. Thepresentation control information (PCI) is also called real timeinformation (RTI).

As shown in FIG. 28, the data search information (DSI), which denotesnavigation data used to search data and to perform the seamless playbackof the VCBU, is composed of DSI general information (DSI-GI) of 32bytes, seamless playback information (SML-PBI) of 148 bytes, seamlessangle information (SML-AGLI) of 54 bytes, VOBU search information(VOBU-SRI) of 168 bytes, synchronization information (SYNCI) of 144bytes and a reserve area of 471 bytes.

Next, the configuration of pieces of information packed in each D packis described.

FIG. 29A is an explanatory view showing in detail a format of the Dpack.

As shown in FIG. 29A, the D pack is composed of a pack header of 14bytes, a system header of 24 bytes, an audio character real timeinformation data (ACD) packet of 1003 bytes and a sound effect control(SEC) packet of 1007 bytes. The ACD packet is composed of a packetheader of 6 bytes, a sub-stream identification of 1 byte, audiocharacter display (ACD) information of 676 bytes, a plurality of typesof audio reproduction control information of 294 bytes and a reservearea of 26 bytes. Also, the SEC packet is composed of a packet header of6 bytes, a sub-stream identification of 1 byte and pieces of soundeffect control (SEC) information of 1000 bytes. The ACD informationindicates an application time period (indicated by a display start timeand a display end time), and the SEC information is applied for audiodata during the application time period.

FIG. 29B is an explanatory view showing a first example of a format ofthe ACD information area.

As shown in FIG. 29B, an area of the ACD information in a first exampleis composed of a general information area of 48 bytes, a first textinformation area of 294 bytes, a second text information area of 294bytes, a display time control data area of 16 bytes and a reserve areaof 24 bytes. The first text information-area for first characters Ch1and the second text information area for second characters Ch2 arerespectively composed of a name space area of 93 bytes, two free spaceareas of 186 bytes (93 bytes*2) and a data pointer area of 15 bytes. Ineach name space area, as shown in FIG. 16, header data of quarter-sizedcharacters (31 bytes) and text data of full-sized characters and/orhalf-sized characters (62 bytes) are, for example, arranged to display amusic name. Also, an address of the top A pack and an address of thefinal A pack in a series of A packs are arranged in the display timecontrol data area as a display start time (8 bytes) and a display endtime (8 bytes) for the displayed characters.

The general information of 48 bytes is, for example, composed of servicelevel information of 16 bytes, language code information of 12 bytes,character set code information of 6 bytes, display item information of 6bytes, “difference of ACD information from previous ACD information”information of 2 bytes and reserve information of 6 bytes. The servicelevel information of 16 bytes indicates a display size, a display type,a distinction between audio information, video information andsub-picture (SP) information, and an audio stream. Also, the inputtingof the characters is mandatory, and a bit map of the characters isoptional. In the character set code information of 6 bytes, a firstlanguage of the first characters Ch1 and a second language of the secondcharacters Ch2 are respectively indicated by 2 bytes in the same manneras in a video file, a maximum of 8 languages are indicated for eachfile. English is mandatory.

As the character set code information of 6 bytes, a maximum of 15character codes corresponding to the language codes can be arranged. Theexistence of the languages for the characters Ch1 or Ch2 and types ofthe languages are indicated by 1 byte. For example, character codesISO646, ISO8859-1 and MS-JIS are used.

The display item information of 6 bytes indicates the existence of dataarranged in each free space shown in FIG. 29B, the existence of dataarranged in the data pointer and an identification. Data arranged in thename space is mandatory, and a title name, a music name and an artistname are necessarily written.

Contents of the sound effect control (SEC) information of 1000 bytes arearbitrary. For example, the SEC information is composed of 40 types ofsound effect control information (or audio reproduction controlinformation) respectively having 25 bytes. In an area of each type ofaudio reproduction control information, graphic equalizer information of20 bytes, level balance information of 3 bytes and reverberation addinginformation of 2 bytes are arranged. These piece of information areselected as audio reproduction control information by a user to controla sound quality of the reproduced audio signal. These pieces of audioreproduction control information are recommended by professional humanmixers and are determined to set a sound quality of an audio signal in areproduction operation to a best condition according to a music category(for example, classic, jazz, rock or background music) of the audiosignal, a playing condition of the music, a recording condition of theaudio signal or circumstances of a reproducing condition in cases wherethe user reproduces the music of the audio signal arranged in the Apacks.

In this embodiment, the ACD information and the SEC information arerecorded in the same D pack. The D pack is also called a real timeinformation (RTI) pack. However, it is applicable that the ACDinformation be recorded in a first type of D pack shown in FIG. 30B andthe SEC information be recorded in a second type of D pack shown in FIG.30C. In this case, a length of the ACD packet and a length of the SECpacket can be arbitrarily set within 2034 bytes. As shown in FIG. 30Aand FIG. 30B, a length of a packet header for a top ACD packet is 17bytes, and a length of a packet header for another ACD packet followingthe top ACD packet is 14 bytes. A private header succeeding the packetheader includes a sub-stream identification (1 byte) and a RTI-INFO flagdenoting a pack type identification (1 byte), and a length of theprivate header is ranged from 5 to 12 bytes. In cases where the RTI-INFOflag=“0000b” is set in the private header, the ACD information isrecorded in the D pack as real time information. In contrast, in caseswhere the RTI-INFO flag=“0001b” is set in the private header, the SECinformation is recorded in the D pack as real time information.Therefore, the RTI-INFO flag functions as identification information foridentifying the ACD or SEC information recorded in the D pack.

Accordingly, a DVD audio/video data (DVD-Avd) disc 41 having a datastructure shown in FIG. 31 can be obtained by using the audio signalencoding apparatus shown in FIG. 24. Also, a DVD-audio disc 41 having adata structure shown in FIG. 32 can be obtained by using the audiosignal encoding apparatus shown in FIG. 24.

In general, as shown in FIG. 33, DVD-video data is recorded in aconventional DVD-video disc. In a data structure of the DVD-video data,a first video title set (VTS <1>) having audio data and video data, asecond video title set (VTS <2>) having audio data and video data and avideo manager (VMG) including video manager information (VMGI) formanaging the first and second video title sets are included.

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 32, DVD-audio data is recorded in theDVD-audio disc 41. In a data structure of the DVD-audio data, a firstaudio title set (ATS <1>) having only audio data, a second audio titleset (ATS <2>) having only audio data and an audio manager (AMG)including audio manager information (AMGI) for managing the first andsecond audio title sets are included (refer to FIG. 2). That is, theaudio title sets of the DVD-audio disc 41 are dedicated to audio dataand information relating to the audio data. In this specification, eachaudio title set dedicated to audio data and information relating to theaudio data is called an audio dedicated title set, and each title of theaudio dedicated title set is called an audio dedicated title.

Also, as shown in FIG. 31, DVD-video data and DVD-audio data arerecorded in the DVD-Avd disc 41. In a data structure of the DVD-videodata, a video manager (VMG) having video manager information (VMGI) anda first video title set (VTS <1>) having audio data and video data areincluded. The VTS <1> is managed by the video manager information. In adata structure of the DVD-audio data, a first audio title set (ATS <1>)having reference information, a second audio title set (ATS <2>) havingonly audio data and an audio manager (AMG) having audio managerinformation (AMGI) for managing the first and second audio title setsare included. That is, each audio title set of the DVD-Avd disc 41 is anaudio dedicated title set, and each audio title is an audio dedicatedtitle.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 32, the DVD-audio disc 41 having the datastructure, in which a first pack (an audio pack) including audio data, asecond pack (a D pack) including both sound control information(corresponding to sound effect control (SEC) information) relating tothe audio data of the first pack and application time control data(corresponding to audio character display (ACD) information) forcontrolling an application time of the sound control information and amanaging area of an audio manager information (AMGI) includinginformation for managing the reproduction of the first pack are arrangedfor an audio specialized title having only the audio data, can beobtained.

Also, as shown in FIG. 31, the DVD-Avd disc 41 having the datastructure, in which a first pack (an audio pack) including audio data, asecond pack including both sound control information (corresponding tosound effect control (SEC) information) relating to the audio data ofthe first pack and application time control data (corresponding to audiocharacter display (ACD) information) for controlling an application timeof the sound control information and a managing area of an audio managerinformation (AMGI) including information for managing the reproductionof the first pack are arranged for an audio specialized title havingonly the audio data and a first pack (an audio pack) including audiodata, a third pack (a video pack) including video data, a navigationpack (CONT pack) of the DVD video standard including information forcontrolling the reproduction of the first and third packs and a managingarea of a video manager information (VMGI) of the video manager (VMG)including information for managing the reproduction of the first andthird packs are arranged for a title having the audio data and the videodata, can be obtained.

Next, a reproducing method for reproducing a signal from each of thethree types of discs shown in FIG. 31 to FIG. 33 is described withreference to FIG. 34.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory view showing a disc reproducing methodaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 34, in cases where a fourth reproducing method Mr4 isadopted, the audio title (ATS <2>) dedicated to audio data in theDVD-Avd disc 41 (FIG. 31) and the audio titles (ATS <1>, ATS <2>)dedicated to audio data in the DVD-audio disc 41 (FIG. 32) can bereproduced by accessing to the audio contents block set (ACBS) throughthe audio title set information (ATSI) according to the audio managerinformation (AMGI). A first reproducing method Mr1, a second reproducingmethod Mr2 and a third reproducing method Mr3 respectively indicate thatthe audio manager information (AMGI) is used to access to each videotitle of the video title set. For example, in case of the thirdreproducing method Mr3, audio contents of the VOBS is managed by theaudio manager information (AMGI). Therefore, the audio specialized titlerecorded in the DVD-Avd disc 41 (FIG. 31) or the DVD-audio disc 41 (FIG.32) can be reproduced while the disc 41 maintain the compatibility withthe DVD as one type of DVD in a DVD family.

Next, a DVD reproducing apparatus is described with reference to FIG.35.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing a reproducing apparatus for theDVD-Avd disc 41 (or the DVD-audio disc 41) and its peripheral devicesaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Pieces of data are modulated in the eight to fourteen modulation (EFM)to produce pieces of bit data, and the pieces of bit data are recordedin the DVD-Avd disc 41 (or the DVD-audio disc 41) to have a datastructure described above according to the third embodiment. When acontrol signal indicating a music selection, a reproducing operation, afast feeding operation or a reproduction stopping operation is sent fromthe remote control unit 19 or the operating unit 18 to the control unit23, the driving unit 2 and a disc reproducing apparatus 42 arecontrolled by the control unit 23. In cases where the reproducingoperation is instructed by the unit 18 or 19, the bit data recorded inthe DVD-Avd disc 41 (or the DVD-audio disc 41) are read out by thedriving unit 2, and an EFM demodulation is performed for the bit data.Therefore, a readout signal is obtained.

In the disc reproducing apparatus 42, the readout signal is sent to theCONT pack detecting unit 3 and an A/D pack detecting unit 43. In theCONT pack detecting unit 3, each CONT pack is detected from readout dataof the readout signal, one or more control parameters of the CONT packare set in the parameter unit 8 and the parameter unit 14, and aplurality of V packs controlled by the CONT pack are detected from thereadout data of the readout signal and are written in the V pack buffer4 one after another. Pieces of user data (a video signal, a stillpicture signal and sub-picture signal) of still picture (SPCT) packs andV packs written in a still picture and video (SPCT/V) pack buffer 47 areread out by the buffer data reading-out unit 5 in the pack orderindicated by the SCR (refer to FIG. 13) of each V pack and SPCT pack andin the outputting time order indicated by a presentation time stamp(PTS). Thereafter, the user data are processed in the image convertingunit 6 and the digital/analog (D/A) converting unit 7 and are output asan analog video signal through the pair of video output terminals 15 aand 15 b. The units 3 to 8 compose a video processing unit 42V, and thevideo processing unit 42V is operable in cases where an internalelectric power switch control unit 30 sets an electric power switch SWto an “on” condition under the control of the control unit 23.

Also, in the A/D pack detecting unit 42, a plurality of A packs and Dpacks are detected from the readout data of the readout signal and arewritten in an A/D pack buffer 44 one after another. Pieces of user data(an audio signal) of the A packs written in the A/D pack buffer 44 areread out by the buffer data reading-out unit 11 in the pack orderindicated by the SCR (refer to FIG. 13) of each A pack and in thearranged order of each pack specified by audio search data (ASD) of theTOC information of the disc 41. Thereafter, the user data are processedin the pulse count modulation (PCM) converting unit 12 and the D/Aconverting unit 13 and are output as an analog audio signal through theaudio output terminals 16.

Also, display data (corresponding to audio character display (ACD)information shown in FIG. 29A and FIG. 29B) of the D pack is sent to adisplay signal producing unit 45, and a display signal is produced fromthe display data. The display signal is output through the displaysignal output terminal 22 and/or is output to a character displayingunit 46.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram functionally showing the reproducingapparatus 42 and its peripheral devices shown in FIG. 35.

In FIG. 36, the reading-out means 2 corresponds to the driving apparatus2 shown in FIG. 35, a readout A/D signal processing and demultiplexingmeans (42, 44, 11 and 14) corresponds to the A/D pack detecting unit 42,the A/D pack buffer 44, the buffer data reading-out unit 11 and theparameter unit 14, and the audio signal outputting means (12, 13)corresponds to the PCM converting unit 12 and the D/A converting unit13. Also, a text information outputting means 45 corresponds to thedisplay signal producing unit 45, a displaying means 46 corresponds tothe character displaying unit 46, and the readout signal processing anddemultiplexing means V (3, 4, 5 and 8) corresponds to the CONT packdetecting unit 3, the SPCT/V pack buffer 47, the buffer data reading-outunit 5 and the parameter unit 8, and the video signal outputting means(6, 7) and the sub-picture information outputting means (6, 7)correspond to the image converting unit 6 and the D/A converting unit 7.The control means 23 corresponds to the control unit 23.

As shown in FIG. 36, when a command signal indicating to play back aremarked musical composition is transmitted from the operating unit 18or the remote control apparatus 19 to the control means 23, an addresscontrol information signal corresponding to the command signal istransmitted from the control means 23 to the reading-out means 2, sothat the reading-out means 2 reads out data of the remarked musicalcomposition from the DVD-Avd disc 41 (or the DVD-audio disc 41) toobtain a readout data. The readout data is processed and demultiplexedin the readout A/D signal processing and demultiplexing means to obtainan audio signal and text information from the readout data. The audiosignal is sent to the audio signal outputting means (12, 13), and thetext information is sent to the text information outputting means 20.Also, the readout data is processed and demultiplexed in the readoutsignal processing and demultiplexing means V to obtain CONT information,a video signal and sub-picture information from the readout data. TheCONT information is sent to the control means 23, the video signal issent to the video signal outputting means (6, 7), and the sub-picturesignal is sent to the sub-picture information outputting means (6, 7).

Also, as shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 23, in cases where TOC information(TOC information is sometimes called a simple audio play pointer (SAPP)in DVD-audio technique) is additionally recorded in an empty area of theaudio manager information (AMGI) or in an empty area of the audio titleset information (ATSI), the reproducing apparatus 42 accesses to the TOCinformation to store the TOC information in a TOC information storingunit 14A, so that a top position of each musical composition can bedetected. As the TOC information, information recorded in a read-in areaof the CD can be used.

Thereafter, when a user selects a top position reading-out operation fora particular musical composition or a particular movement of theparticular musical composition, the control means 23 refers the TOCinformation storing unit 14A in which the TOC information read-out fromthe DVD-Avd disc 41 (or the DVD-audio disc 41) at a start time of areproducing operation is stored, and the reproducing apparatus 42accesses to the DVD-Avd disc 41 (or the DVD-audio disc 41) to read outaudio data of the particular musical composition (or the particularmovement of the particular musical composition) from its top position.

In this embodiment, the TOC information is recorded in the audio managerinformation (AMGI) or in the audio title set information (ATSI).However, as shown in FIG. 36, it is applicable that the TOC informationbe additionally recorded in a TOC area 41 a placed in the innermostcircular read-in area. In this case, a TOC detecting means 24 accessesto the TOC area 41 a at the start time of the reproducing operation toread out the TOC information, and the TOC information is recorded in theTOC information storing unit 14A.

Next, an A-V-D synchronization reproduction processing for reproducingone or more V packs controlled by one CONT pack with one or more A packsand D packs by using control information such as TOC information andsearch information recorded in the DVD-Avd disc 41 is described withreference to FIG. 37 and FIG. 38.

FIG. 37 is a flow chart of an A-V-D synchronization reproductionprocessing for reproducing control information.

As shown in FIG. 37, when a user selects a top position reading-outoperation to detect a top position of a particular musical compositionor a particular movement of the particular musical composition recordedin the DVD-Avd disc 41, the control means 23 refers TOC informationcorresponding to the top position (step S101), and a position of aparticular cell for a group of CONT packs and V packs and a position ofa particular index for a group of A packs are calculated according tothe TOC information (step S102). Thereafter, the reading-out means 2searches the DVD-Avd disc 41 for the top position of the particularmusical composition (or the particular movement of the particularmusical composition) (step S103). When the top position is found out(step S104), one or more V packs controlled by each CONT pack arereproduced with one or more A packs and D packs in simultaneoussynchronization with each other (step S105).

FIG. 38 is a flow chart of a synchronization reproduction (step S105) ofA packs, V packs and D packs performed in the A-V-D synchronizationreproduction processing.

As shown in FIG. 38, a particular CONT pack placed at the top positionin the DVD-Avd disc 41 is reproduced (step S111), and it is checked bythe control means 23 whether a time indicated by time information(system clock reference information SCR) of a particular A packcorresponding to the particular index agrees with that indicated by timeinformation (system clock reference (SCR) information) of a particular Vpack corresponding to the particular cell (step S112). In cases wherethe time for the particular A pack differs from that for the particularV pack, another CONT pack spaced apart from the particular CONT pack byone CONT pack in a time increasing or decreasing direction is selectedas another particular CONT pack (step S113), and the step S111 isrepeated.

When the time for the particular A pack agrees with that for theparticular V pack (step S112), the particular V pack controlled by theparticular CONT pack is reproduced, a V pack address (SCR information)denoting a display time of the particular V pack is incremented by one(step S114), the particular A pack (or a particular D pack) isreproduced, and an A pack address (or a D pack address) denoting areproduction time of the particular A pack is incremented by one (stepS115). Therefore, a V pack succeeding the particular V pack and an Apack (or a D pack) succeeding the particular A pack (or D pack) can bespecified. Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the reproduction ofthe particular A pack (or the D pack) is completed (step S116).

In cases where the reproduction of the particular A pack (or theparticular D pack) is not completed, it is checked whether or not thereproduction of the particular V pack is completed (step S117). In caseswhere the reproduction of the particular V pack is not completed, thestep S112 is again performed. Therefore, the step S112 is repeated untilthe reproduction of the particular A pack (or the D pack) is completedin the step S116 or until the reproduction of the particular V pack iscompleted in the step S117. In contrast, in cases where the reproductionof the particular V pack is completed (step S117), another V packcontrolled by the particular CONT pack and placed next to the particularV pack is selected as another particular V pack, the particular V packselected is reproduced, and the V pack address is incremented (stepS118). Thereafter, the step S112 is again performed.

In contrast, in cases where the reproduction of the particular A pack(or the particular D pack) is completed (step S116), an A pack (or a Dpack) placed next to the particular A pack (or the particular D pack) isreproduced as another particular A pack (or another particular D pack),and the A pack address (or the D pack address) is incremented by one(step S119). Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the reproductionof the particular V pack is completed (step S120). In cases where thereproduction of the particular V pack is not completed, the step S115 isagain performed. In contrast, in cases where the reproduction of theparticular V pack is completed (step S120), another V pack controlled bythe particular CONT pack and placed next to the particular V pack isselected as another particular V pack, the particular V pack selected isreproduced, and the V pack address is incremented (step S121).Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the A-V-D synchronizationreproduction processing reaches the end of a video frame (EOF) (stepS122). In cases where the A-V-D synchronization reproduction processingdoes not reach the end of a frame, the step S112 is again performed.When the A-V-D synchronization reproduction processing reaches the endof the frame, the A-V-D synchronization reproduction processing for theDVD-Avd disc 41 is completed.

In contrast, in cases where the A-V-D synchronization reproductionprocessing is performed to play back a particular musical composition ora particular movement of the particular musical composition recorded inthe DVD-audio disc 41, the step S105 is not required. That is, theparticular musical composition (or the particular movement of theparticular musical composition) is played back after the step S104.

Next, the display signal producing unit 45 and the character displayingunit 46 are described with reference to FIG. 39.

FIG. 39 is a block diagram of the display signal producing unit 45 andthe character displaying unit 46.

Display time data (corresponding to audio character display (ACD)information shown in FIG. 29A and FIG. 29B) of each D pack transmittedfrom the buffer data reading-out unit 11 is demultiplexed in a displaytime decoder 51 to display start time data and display end time data,the display start time data is sent to a start comparator 52, and thedisplay end time data is sent to an end comparator 53. Also, text dataof the D pack is converted into a dot matrix text data for display in atext data decoder 54, and the dot matrix text data is stored in a buffer55.

Thereafter, in the start comparator 52, the display start time data iscompared with the A pack address (or the SCR information) of an A packcurrently reproduced. In cases where the display start time data agreeswith the A pack address, a reading-out start control signal indicatingthe reading-out of the dot matrix text data is sent from the startcomparator 52 to the buffer 55, and a display-on control signalindicating the display of the dot matrix text data is sent from thestart comparator 52 to a display 56. Therefore, the dot matrix text datais read out from the buffer according to the reading-out start controlsignal and is displayed in the display 56.

Thereafter, in the end comparator 53, the display end time data iscompared with the A pack address of an A pack currently reproduced. Incases where the display end time data agrees with the A pack address, adata outputting timing signal is sent from the end comparator 53 to thedisplay time decoder 51, and a display-off control signal is sent fromthe end comparator 53 to the display 56. Therefore, the display of thedot matrix text data is ended in the display 56, and display time datais newly transmitted from the buffer data reading-out unit 11 to thedisplay time decoder 51.

Next, a reproducing apparatus, in which the video processing unit 42V ofthe reproducing apparatus 42 shown in FIG. 35 is omitted, is describedwith reference to FIG. 40 according to a modification of the thirdembodiment.

FIG. 40 is a block diagram functionally showing a reproducing apparatus,in which the video processing unit 42V of the reproducing apparatus 42is omitted, and its peripheral devices according to a modification ofthe third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 40, sound effect control (SEC) information of aparticular D pack recorded in the DVD-audio disc 41 before a D pack,which controls the reproduction of an A pack currently output from theaudio signal outputting means (12, 13), is pre-read by the A/D signalprocessing and demultiplexing means (43, 44, 11, 14), and the SECinformation of the particular D pack pre-read is stored in an SECstoring unit 14B. Thereafter, text information of the SEC information isdisplayed on a plane matrix display 46 a (corresponding to the characterdisplay unit 46) through the text information outputting means 45.

Next, a reproducing apparatus, in which the video processing unit 42V ofthe reproducing apparatus 42 shown in FIG. 35 is omitted, forreproducing audio signal by using TOC information additionally recordedin the TOC area 41 a of the innermost circular read-in area of theDVD-audio disc 41 is described with reference to FIG. 41 according toanother modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a block diagram functionally showing an audio dedicatedreproducing apparatus, in which the video processing unit 42V of thereproducing apparatus 42 is omitted, and its peripheral devicesaccording to another modification of the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 41, in cases where the TOC information is additionallyrecorded in the TOC area 41 a of the innermost circular read-in area ofthe DVD-audio disc 41, the TOC detecting means 24 accesses to the TOCinformation area 41 a of the DVD-audio disc 41 at a start time of thereproducing operation, and the TOC information is stored in the TOCinformation storing unit 14A. In cases where audio reproduction controlinformation to reproduce audio data in a sound quality recommended byprofessional human mixers is recorded in the SEC packet of each D pack,the audio reproduction control information is read out from theDVD-audio disc 41 to the A/D signal processing and demultiplexing means(43, 44, 11, 14) according to the TOC information under the control ofthe control means 23, and a sound quality of an audio signal iscontrolled according to the audio reproduction control information in asound quality and level control information outputting means 31 and asound quality and level control processing means 32.

As shown in FIG. 30A, in cases where the D pack including the ACDinformation differs from the D pack including the SEC information, a Dpack type distinguishing means for distinguishing between the D packincluding the ACD information and the D pack including the SECinformation is arranged in the A/D signal processing and demultiplexingmeans (43, 44, 11, 14). In this case, as shown in FIG. 42, a real timeinformation identification (RTI-INFO flag) set in the private header ofthe D pack is read out (step S131), and it is checked by the controlmeans 23 whether or not the RTI-INFO flag set in the private header ofthe D pack is “0000b” (step S132). In case of the flag=“0000b”, becausethe ACD information is included in the D pack, user data indicating theaudio character display (ACD) information is sent to the plane matrixdisplay 46 a through the text information outputting means 45 and isdisplayed (step S133). In contrast, in case of the flag=“0001b” (stepS134), because the SEC information is included in the D pack, user dataindicating the sound effect control (SEC) information is sent to thesound quality and level control information outputting means 31, so thatsound quality and level of the audio signal is adjusted according to theSEC information in the sound quality and level control processing means32 (step S135).

In this case, the sound quality and level control information outputtingmeans 31 has a configuration shown in FIG. 43. A control start time anda control end time are extracted from the ACD information in a controltime decoder 61, and sound effect data of the SEC information is decodedin a sound effect data decoder 62, and decoded sound effect data isstored in a buffer 63. In cases where it is judged in the startcomparator 52 that an A pack address of the A pack agrees with thecontrol start time, the decoded sound effect data is sent to the soundquality and level control processing means 32, and the adjustment of anaudio signal of the A pack according to the decoded sound effect data isstarted. Also, in cases where it is judged in the end comparator 52 thatan A pack address of the A pack agrees with the control end time, theadjustment of the audio signal performed in the control processing means32 is ended, and another piece of SEC information is received in thecontrol time decoder 61. Therefore, sound effect control can beperformed within a time period between the control start time and thecontrol end time for each A pack. The ACD information is called a realtime text.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is described.

FIG. 29C is an explanatory view showing a second example of a format ofthe ACD information area.

In the fourth embodiment, each D pack has the format shown in FIG. 29A,and a format of the ACD information included in each D pack is shown inFIG. 29C. Therefore, though text information is arranged in the ACDinformation, but any display time data is not arranged in the ACDinformation. In this embodiment, display time data is arranged in areserve area of the data search information (DSI) shown in FIG. 28. Thedata search information (DSI) is arranged in each CONT pack shown inFIG. 26.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is described.

In the fifth embodiment, each D pack has the format shown in FIG. 29A,and a format of the ACD information included in each D pack is shown inFIG. 29C. Therefore, though text information is arranged in the ACDinformation, but any display time data is not arranged in the ACDinformation. In this embodiment, display time data (16 bytes) andgeneralized display control data other than the display time data isarranged in a reserve area (471 bytes) of the data search information(DSI) shown in FIG. 28. A maximum of bytes of generalized displaycontrol data is 52.

As an example of the generalized display control data, to display animage of the text information on a display unit in which the number ofpixels is larger than that in the display 56 shown in FIG. 39, a displaystart address of 8 bytes (an address corresponding to the display startaddress of the ACD information shown in FIG. 29B) and division numberdata of 8 bytes are arranged in the reserve area (471 bytes) of the datasearch information (DSI). Therefore, when pieces of text informationindicating 16 (8*2) characters are displayed, the display of thecharacters can be controlled by the display start address and thedivision number data.

FIG. 44 is a block diagram of a character displaying circuit accordingto the fifth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 44, the display time decoder 51, the start comparator52, the end comparator 53, the text data decoder 54, the buffer 55 andthe display 56 are operated in the same manner as those shown in FIG.39. Also, a recording capacity of the buffer 55 and the arrangement ofpixels in the display 56 are set to display 15 full-sized characters (or31 half-sized characters) for each of 2.5 lines as shown in FIG. 16.Information corresponding to the 15 full-sized characters (or 31half-sized characters)*2.5 lines is called one set of text information.As shown in FIG. 45, a recording capacity of a V-RAM 57 a of a videodisplay processor 57 is set to store 16 (2*8) sets of text information.

In the character displaying circuit shown in FIG. 44, each set of textinformation is displayed on the display 56 in a normal mode. Also, 16(2*8) sets of text information are transmitted to an external displayapparatus (not shown) through an external output terminal and aredisplayed in a special mode.

In the normal mode, display time data of each CONT pack is demultiplexedto display start time data and display end time data in the display timedecoder 51, the display start time data is sent to the start comparator52, the display end time data is sent to the end comparator 53. Also,text data of each D pack is converted into dot matrix text data fordisplay in the text data decoder 54, and the dot matrix text data isstored in the buffer 55.

Thereafter, in the start comparator 52, the display start time data iscompared with the A pack address of an A pack currently reproduced. Incases where the display start time data agrees with the A pack address,a reading-out start control signal is sent from the start comparator 52to the buffer 55, and a display-on control signal is sent from the startcomparator 52 to a display 56. Therefore, the dot matrix text data isread out from the buffer according to the reading-out start controlsignal and is displayed in the display 56. Thereafter, in the endcomparator 53, the display end time data is compared with the A packaddress of an A pack currently reproduced. In cases where the displayend time data agrees with the A pack address, a data outputting timingsignal is sent from the end comparator 53 to the display time decoder51, and a display-off control signal is sent from the end comparator 53to the display 56. Therefore, the display of the dot matrix text data isended in the display 56, and display time data is newly transmitted fromthe buffer data reading-out unit 11 to the display time decoder 51.

In contrast, in the special mode, display time data of each CONT pack isdemultiplexed to display start time data and display end time data inthe display time decoder 51, the display start time data is sent to thestart comparator 52 and a central processing unit (CPU) 59, the displayend time data is sent to the end comparator 53 and the CPU 59. Also,text data of each D pack is converted into dot matrix text data fordisplay in the text data decoder 54, and the dot matrix text data isstored in the buffer 55. Also, the display start address and thedivision number data of each CONT pack representing the generalizeddisplay control data are decoded in a generalized display control datadecoder 58 and are sent to the CPU 59.

Thereafter, in the start comparator 52, the display start time data iscompared with the A pack address of an A pack currently reproduced, anda reading-out start control signal is sent from the start comparator 52to the buffer 55 in cases where the display start time data agrees withthe A pack address. Thereafter, in the end comparator 53, the displayend time data is compared with the A pack address of an A pack currentlyreproduced, a data outputting timing signal is sent from the endcomparator 53 to the display time decoder 51 in cases where the displayend time data agrees with the A pack address.

Thereafter, the display start time data, corresponding to each set oftext information, decoded in the display time decoder 51 is checked inthe CPU 59 according to the display start address and the divisionnumber data decoded in the generalized display control data decoder 58.When the display start time data agrees with the display start address,the CPU 59 specifies a write-in address corresponding to one set in theV-RAM 57 a of the video display processor 57. Therefore, one set of dotmatrix data read out from the buffer 55 is written in the write-inaddress of the V-RAM 57 a of the video display processor 57 specified bythe CPU 59 according to the display start address and the divisionnumber data for each of the 16 sets. When 16 sets of dot matrix data arewritten in the V-RAM 57 a, the 16 sets of dot matrix data are extendedto a video signal corresponding to one display image in the videodisplay processor 57. Thereafter, the video signal is output to theexternal display apparatus (not shown) through an external outputterminal.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention is described.

FIG. 46 shows a data structure of data recorded in a DVD-Avd discaccording to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 46, DVD-video data and DVD-audio data are recorded in aDVD-Avd disc 71 according to a sixth embodiment. In a data structure ofthe DVD-video data, a video manager (VMG) shown in FIG. 1A, a videomanager menu (VMGM) corresponding to video data and audio data and afirst video title set (VTS <1>) managed by video manager information(VMGI) of the VMG are included. The VTS <1> has video data and audiodata. In a data structure of the DVD-audio data, an audio manager menu(AMGM) corresponding to video data and audio data, a first audio titleset (ATS <1>) managed by audio manager information (AMGI) of the AMG anda second audio title set (ATS <2>) managed by the audio managerinformation (AMGI) of the AMG are included. The ATS <1> has only audiodata, and the audio data of the ATS <1> is the same as audio data of theVTS <1> or corresponds to audio data of the VTS <1>, so that audiocontents of the VTS <1> are managed by the AMG. The ATS <2> has onlyaudio data, and the audio data of the ATS <2> has no connection withaudio data of the VTS. Also, as shown in FIG. 47, the ATS <2> do nothave any A-CONT pack, but the ATS <2> has A packs and a real timeinformation (RTI) pack (or a still picture (SPCT) pack) for each cell(or index). In the RTI pack, real time text data and real timeinformation such as sound effect control (SEC) information is packed.Also, still picture data is packed in the SPCT pack (refer to FIG. 51A,FIG. 51E and FIG. 51G). That is, a data format according to the sixthembodiment differs from that shown in FIG. 1C, and a plurality of SPCTpacks are arranged in a specific area of the ATS <2>.

As another type of disc, as shown in FIG. 48, DVD-video data andDVD-audio navigation data are recorded in a DVD-Van (video data+audionavigation data) disc. In a data structure of the DVD-video data, avideo manager (VMG) having video manager information (VMGI), a videomanager menu (VMGM) corresponding to video data and audio data, a firstvideo title set (VTS <1>) having video data and audio data and a secondvideo title set (VTS <2>) having video data and audio data are included.In a data structure of the DVD-audio navigation data, a first audiotitle set (ATS <1>) having only audio data, a second audio title set(ATS <2>) having only audio data and an audio manager (AMG) having audiomanager information (AMGI) for managing the first and second audio titlesets are included. The audio data of the ATS <1> is the same as audiodata of the VTS <1> or corresponds to audio data of the VTS <1>, and theaudio data of the ATS <2> is the same as audio data of the VTS <2> orcorresponds to audio data of the VTS <2>.

Also, as shown in FIG. 49, DVD-video data is recorded in a DVD-videodisc. In a data structure of the DVD-video data, a video manager (VMG)having video manager information (VMGI), a video manager menu (VMGM)corresponding to video data and audio data, a first video title set (VTS<1>) having video data and audio data and a second video title set (VTS<2>) having video data and audio data are included. Therefore, any audiotitle set (ATS) is not included in the data structure of the DVD-videodata.

Also, as shown in FIG. 50, DVD-audio data is recorded in a DVD-audiodisc. In a data structure of the DVD-audio data, an audio manager menu(AMGM) corresponding to video data and audio data, a first audio titleset (ATS <1>) having only audio data, a second audio title set (ATS <2>)having only audio data and an audio manager (AMG) having audio managerinformation (AMGI) for managing the first and second audio title setsare included. Therefore, any video title set (VTS) is not included inthe data structure of the DVD-audio data. The ATS <2> (and the ATS <1>)recorded in the DVD-Avd disc 71, of which the data structure is shown inFIG. 46 and FIG. 47, is reproduced while referring the AMGI by using aDVD-Avd disc player according to the present invention. In this case,because the VMGI is referred when a DVD-video disc player is used, theATS <2> not managed by the VMGI cannot be reproduced by using theDVD-video disc player.

The function of the AMGI includes the function of the VMGI. Therefore,as a reproducing method for reproducing information recorded in a discis shown in FIG. 34, the AMGI can manage the VOBS (the first and secondreproducing methods Mr1 and Mr2), the AMGI can manage only audiocontents of the VOBS (the third reproducing method Mr3), and the AMGIcan manage the ACBS (the fourth reproducing method Mr4).

Next, a data structure of DVD-audio data in the DVD-Avd disc 71 shown inFIG. 46 is described.

FIG. 51A shows a data structure of DVD-audio data in the DVD-Avd disc 71shown in FIG. 46.

As shown in FIG. 51A, DVD-audio data in the DVD-Avd disc 71 includes anaudio manager (AMG), a still picture set (SPS) and a plurality of audiotitle sets (ATSs). Each ATS has an audio title set information (ATSI),an audio only title audio object set (AOTT-AOBS) and a backup ATST. TheATSI has an audio title set information management table (ATSI-MAT), anaudio title set program chain information table (ATS-PGCIT) and a stillpicture control information table (SPCIT).

FIG. 51B shows a configuration of the audio only title audio object set(AOTT-AOBS) shown in FIG. 51A.

As shown in FIG. 51B, the audio only title audio object set (AOTT-AOBS)has a plurality of audio only title audio objects (AOTT-AOBs), eachAOTT-AOB is classified into a plurality of audio cells, and each audiocell is basically composed of a plurality of audio (A) packs. In thisembodiment, as shown in FIG. 51C, each audio cell is composed of aplurality of audio (A) packs and a real time information (RTI) pack.

FIG. 51D shows a configuration of the audio title set informationmanagement table (ATSI-MAT) data shown in FIG. 51A.

As shown in FIG. 51D, the audio title set information management table(ATSI-MAT) has an ATS identifier (ATS-ID) of 12 bytes, an ATS endaddress (ATS-EA) of 4 bytes, a reserved area of 12 bytes, an ATSI endaddress (ATSI-EA) of 4 bytes, a version number (VERN) of 2 bytes, areserved area of 94 bytes, an ATSI-MAT end address of 4 bytes, areserved area of 60 bytes, an AOTT VTS start address of 4 bytes, an AOTTAOBS start address (or AOTT VOBS start address) of 4 bytes, a reservedarea of 4 bytes, an ATS-PGCIT start address of 4 bytes, a reserved areaof 48 bytes, an audio only title audio object attribute (AOTT-AOB-ATR)and an AOTT-VOB-AST-ATR of 128 bytes, an ATS-DM-COEFT#0-#15 of 288bytes, a reserved area of 32 bytes, a still picture data attribute(ATS-SPCT-ATR) of 2 bytes and a reserved area of 1342 bytes in thatorder.

FIG. 51E shows a configuration of the still picture set (SPS) shown inFIG. 51A.

As shown in FIG. 51E, the still picture set (SPS) has an SP addressinformation (SPAI) and a plurality of still picture units (SPUs) #1 to#n. Each SPU is composed of a plurality of still pictures (SPs) #1 to#n. As shown in FIG. 51F, a still picture (SPCT) pack of each SP iscomposed of a pack header and a still picture (SPCT) packet, and theSPCT packet is composed of a packet header and still picture data.

FIG. 51G shows a format of audio only title audio object attribute(AOTT-AOB-ATR) data shown in FIG. 51D. The AOTT-AOB-ATR data recorded inthe DVD-avd disc 71 is expressed by 8 bytes (64 bits from the bit No.b63 to the bit No. b0). The format of the AOTT-AOB-ATR data is describedin a direction from the most significant bit (MSB) to the leastsignificant bit (LSB).

The AOTT-AOB-ATR data is composed of:

-   an audio coding mode of 4 bits (b63 to b60),-   a down mix (D-M) mode of 1 bit (b59),-   a multi-channel type of 3 bits (b58 to b56),-   a quantizing bit number Q1 of a channel group 1 having 4 bits (b55    to b52),-   a quantizing bit number Q2 of a channel group 2 having 4 bits (b51    to b48),-   a sampling frequency Fs1 of a channel group 1 having 4 bits (b47 to    b44),-   a sampling frequency Fs2 of a channel group 2 having 4 bits (b43 to    b40),-   a reserve area of 3 bits (b39 to b37),-   a channel allocation of 5 bits (b36 to b32), and-   a reserve area of remaining 32 bits (b31 to b0).    The remaining 32 bits are used to record attribute data of each    channel.    The data of the AOTT-AOB-ATR is described in detail.-   (1) The audio coding mode (b63 to b60)-   0000b: linear pulse count modulation (PCM) mode,-   0001b: reserve for compressed audio data (Dolby digital),-   0010b: reserve for compressed audio data (MPEG 2, no extension),-   0011b: reserve for compressed audio data (MPEG 2, extension),-   0100b: reserve for compressed audio data (digital theater system    (DTS)),-   0101b: reserve for compressed audio data (SDDS), and others: reserve    for other coding modes.-   (2) The down mix mode (b59)-   0b: authorization of down mix stereo output, and-   1b: inhibition of down mix stereo output.-   (3) The multi-channel type (b58 to b56)-   000b: type 1, and others: reserve.-   (4) The quantizing bit number Q1 of the channel group 1 (b55 to b52)-   0000b: 16 bits,-   0001b: 20 bits,-   0010b: 24 bits, and others: reserve.-   (5) The quantizing bit number Q2 of the channel group 2 (b51 to b48)-   0000b: 16 bits,-   0001B: 20 bits,-   0010b: 24 bits, and others: reserve.-   In case of the quantizing bit number Q1=16 bits (“0000b”) of the    channel group 1, “0000b” is set.-   In case of the quantizing bit number Q1=20 bits (“0001b”) of the    channel group 1, “0000b” or “0001b” is set.-   In case of the quantizing bit number Q1=24 bits (“0010b”) of the    channel group 1, “0000b”, “0001b” or “0010b” is set.-   (6) The sampling frequency Fs1 of the channel group 1 (b47 to b44)-   0000b: 48 kHz,-   0001b: 96 kHz,-   0010b: 192 kHz,-   1000b: 44.1 kHz,-   1001b: 88.2 kHz,-   1010b: 176.4 kHz, and others: reserve.-   (7) The sampling frequency Fs2 of the channel group 2 (b43 to b40)-   0000b: 48 kHz,-   0001b: 96 kHz,-   0010b: 192 kHz,-   1000b: 44.1 kHz,-   1001b: 88.2 kHz,-   1010b: 176.4 kHz, and others: reserve.-   In case of the sampling frequency Fs1=48 kHz (“0000b”) of the    channel group 1, “0000b” is set.-   In case of the sampling frequency Fs1=96 kHz (“0001b”) of the    channel group 1, “0000b” or “0001b” is set.-   In case of the sampling frequency Fs1=192 kHz (“0010b”) of the    channel group 1, “0000b”, “0001b” or “0010b” is set.-   In case of the sampling frequency Fs1=44.1 kHz (“1000b”) of the    channel group 1, “1000b” is set.-   In case of the sampling frequency Fs1=88.2 kHz (“1001b”) of the    channel group 1, “1000b” or “1001b” is set.-   In case of the sampling frequency Fs1=176.4 kHz (“1010b”) of the    channel group 1, “1000b”, “1001b” or “1010b” is set.

In the sixth embodiment, the linear PCM mode is adopted. As shown inFIG. 52, a private header of the linear PCM is composed of:

-   a sub-stream identification (ID) of 8 bits,-   a reserve area of 4 bits,-   an International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) number of 4 bits,-   ISRC data of 8 bits,-   A private header length of 8 bits, a first access unit pointer of 16    bits,-   an audio emphasis flag F1 of 1 bit, and-   an audio emphasis flag F2 of 1 bit.-   In case of the sampling frequency Fs1=96 kHz or 88.2 kHz, the audio    emphasis flag F1 is set to “0b”=“emphasis-off”. In other cases, the    audio emphasis flag F1 is set to “1b”=“emphasis-on”.-   In case of the sampling frequency Fs2=192 kHz or 176.4 kHz, the    audio emphasis flag F2 is set to “0b”=“emphasis-off”. In other    cases, the audio emphasis flag F2 is set to “1b”=“emphasis-on”.

Next, a reproducing processing performed in a reproducing apparatusaccording to the sixth embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 53to FIG. 57.

FIG. 53A is a block diagram showing a reproducing apparatus for theDVD-Avd disc shown in FIG. 46 and its peripheral devices according tothe sixth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 53B is a blockdiagram functionally showing the reproducing apparatus and itsperipheral devices according to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 54 is aflow chart showing a reproducing processing of an ATS and a VTSperformed in a reproducing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 53A and FIG. 53B and FIG. 54, it is judged in thecontrol means 23 whether or not data recorded in a disc is onlyDVD-audio data or both DVD-video data and DVD-audio data according to asignal reproduced in the reproducing apparatus 17 (step S201). In caseswhere only DVD-audio data is recorded in the disc, it is judged that thedisc is a DVD-audio disc shown in FIG. 50, and the AMG, the AMGM, theATS<1> and the ATS<2> are processed and demultiplexed in the readoutsignal processing and demultiplexing means A (48, 49, 11, 14) and areoutput from the outputting means 12, 13 and 20. Therefore, audio signaland text information of the DVD-audio data are reproduced (step S202).In contrast, in cases where both DVD-video data and DVD-audio data arerecorded in the disc (step S201), it is judged that the disc is theDVD-Avd disc 71 shown in FIG. 46, and the AMG, the AMGM, the ATS<1> andthe ATS<2> of the DVD-audio data and the VMG, the VMGM, the VTS<1> andthe VTS<2> of the DVD-video data are processed and demultiplexed in thereadout signal processing and demultiplexing means A (48, 49, 11, 14)and the readout signal processing and demultiplexing means V (3, 47, 5,8) and are output from the outputting means 6, 7, 12, 13 and 20.Therefore, video signal, sub-picture information and audio signal of theDVD-video data and text information of the DVD-audio data are reproduced(step S203). In this case, still picture data or real time informationpacked in each SPCT pack or RTI pack is detected in an audio and realtime information (A/RTI) pack detecting unit 48 and is stored an A/RTIpack buffer 49, and a still picture or text information is reproducedand displayed.

FIG. 55 is a flow chart showing a frame reproducing processing performedin correspondence to a sampling frequency of audio data in thereproducing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 53A, FIG. 53B and FIG. 55, it is judged in the controlmeans 23 whether a sampling frequency Fs, at which an analog audiosignal is converted into digital data to obtain audio data of an audiotitle set (ATS) recorded in the DVD-Avd disc 71, is a multiple of 48 kHz(48, 96 or 192 kHz) corresponding to a first frequency or is a multipleof 44.1 kHz (44.1, 88.2 or 176.4 kHz) corresponding to a secondfrequency (step S211). In cases where the sampling frequency Fs is thefirst frequency, a frame speed is set to a first frame speed ( 1/600second) (step S212). In contrast, in cases where the sampling frequencyFs is the second frequency, a frame speed is set to a second frame speed( 1/551.25 second) (step S213). Thereafter, the sampling frequency Fsjudged in the step S211 is displayed in the displaying means 21 (stepS214).

FIG. 56 is a flow chart showing an emphasis reproducing processing ofaudio data performed in the reproducing apparatus according to the sixthembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 53A, FIG. 53B and FIG. 56, it is judged in the controlmeans 23 whether or not the sampling frequency Fs is 192 kHz (stepS221). In cases where the sampling frequency Fs is 192 kHz, an filteringoperation of an emphasis filtering circuit is set to an “off” condition(step S222). In contrast, in cases where the sampling frequency Fs isnot 192 kHz, it is judged in the control means 23 whether or not anaudio emphasis flag F is set in an “emphasis on” (step S223). In caseswhere the audio emphasis flag F is set in an “emphasis on”, an operatingcondition of the emphasis filtering circuit is changed to an “on”condition (step S224). In contrast, in cases where the audio emphasisflag F is not set in an “emphasis on”, an filtering operation of theemphasis filtering circuit is set to the “off” condition (step S222).

FIG. 57 is a flow chart showing another emphasis reproducing processingof audio data performed in the reproducing apparatus according to thesixth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 53A, FIG. 53B and FIG. 57, it is judged in the controlmeans 23 whether or not the sampling frequency Fs is 176.4 kHz (stepS231). In cases where the sampling frequency Fs is 176.4 kHz, anfiltering operation of an emphasis filtering circuit is set to an “off”condition (step S232). In contrast, in cases where the samplingfrequency Fs is not 176.4 kHz, it is judged in the control means 23whether or not the audio emphasis flag F is set in an “emphasis on”(step S233). In cases where the audio emphasis flag F is set in an“emphasis on”, a filtering operation of the emphasis filtering circuitis changed to an “on” condition (step S234). In contrast, in cases wherethe audio emphasis flag F is not set in an “emphasis on”, the filteringoperation of the emphasis filtering circuit is set to the “off”condition (step S232.

Having illustrated and described the principles of the present inventionin a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art that the invention can be modified inarrangement and detail without departing from such principles. We claimall modifications coming within the scope of the accompanying claims.

1. An audio disc having a data structure comprising: a video title set(VTS<1>) including video objects (VOBS) containing first audio data ofthe video objects (VOBS); a first managing area (VMG) includinginformation (VMGI) for managing the video title set (VTS<1>); a firstaudio title set (ATS<1>) including reference information for access tothe first audio data of the video objects (VOBS) in the video title set(VTS<1>); a second audio title set (ATS<2>) having second audio data(ACBS) containing a multi-channel audio signal, wherein the second audiodata (ACBS) have down-mix mode information (D-M) for assigning whetheror not down-mix stereo output of the multi-channel audio signal isinhibited, wherein the second audio data (ACBS) have first samplingfrequency information (Fs1) for a first group channel of themulti-channel audio signal and second sampling frequency information(Fs2) for a second group channel of the multi-channel audio signal,wherein the first sampling frequency information (Fs1) is set at 48 kHz,96 kHz, 192 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, or 176.4 kHz, where the secondsampling frequency information (Fs2) is set at 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, or176.4 kHz when the first sampling frequency information (Fs1) is set at176.4 kHz; and a second managing area (AMG) including information (AMGI)for managing the first and second audio title sets and managing thevideo objects (VOBS) of the video title set (VTS<1>).
 2. An audio discreproducing apparatus for reproducing data recorded in an audio disc,the audio disc having a data structure comprising: a video title set(VTS<1>) including video objects (VOBS) containing first audio data ofthe video objects (VOBS); a first managing area (VMG) includinginformation (VMGI) for managing the video title set (VTS<1>); a firstaudio title set (ATS<1>) including reference information for access tothe first audio data of the video objects (VOBS) in the video title set(VTS<1>); a second audio title set (ATS<2>) having second audio data(ACBS) containing a multi-channel audio signal, wherein the second audiodata have down-mix mode information (D-M) for assigning whether or notdown-mix stereo output of the multi-channel audio signal is inhibited,wherein the second audio data (ACBS) have a first sampling frequencyinformation (Fs1) for a first group channel of the multi-channel audiosignal and second sampling frequency information (Fs2) for a secondgroup channel of the multi-channel audio signal, wherein the firstsampling frequency information (Fs1) is set at 48 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz,44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, or 176.4 kHz, where the second sampling frequencyinformation (Fs2) is set at 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, or 176.4 kHz when thefirst sampling frequency information (Fs1) is set at 176.4 kHz; and asecond managing area (AMG) including information (AMGI) for managing thefirst and second audio title sets and managing the video objects (VOBS)in of the video title set (VTS<1>); wherein the audio disc reproducingapparatus comprises: reproducing means for reproducing the audio data(ACBS) of the second audio title set existing in the second audio titleset (ATS<2>) by using the information of the second managing area;decoding means for decoding the down-mix mode information; anddown-mixing permitting means for permitting down-mixed stereo output ofthe multi-channel audio signal in response to the decoded down-mix modeinformation when the down-mix mode information does not inhibitdown-mixed stereo output of the multi-channel audio signal.